China investigates head monk of Shaolin 'Kung Fu' temple

Shi Yongxin, the abbot of the world-famous Shaolin Temple in China, is currently under investigation for several serious accusations. The Shaolin Temple, located in the mountains of Henan province, is about 1,500 years old and is known as the birthplace of Shaolin kung fu. Every year, thousands of people from China and around the world visit the temple to learn martial arts and about Buddhism. Shi Yongxin has been the head monk since 1999 and is often called the 'CEO monk' because he turned the temple into a global brand. Under his leadership, the temple opened schools in other countries and created a group of monks who travel to perform kung fu shows.

Recently, the temple announced that Shi Yongxin is being investigated by several agencies for embezzling money, having improper relationships with women, and fathering children, which is against the rules for monks. Because of these accusations, the Buddhist Association of China has taken away his ordination certificate, which is proof that he is a real monk. The association said that his actions have seriously damaged the reputation of the Buddhist community and the image of monks in China. This is not the first time Shi Yongxin has faced such accusations. In 2015, he was also accused of having affairs and stealing temple funds, but he was cleared of those charges at the time. He was also said to have received expensive gifts, like a Volkswagen SUV and a robe made with gold thread, from companies and local governments.

The Shaolin Temple has also faced criticism in the past, especially in 2015 when there were plans to build a huge new temple complex that would include a hotel, a kung fu school, and even a golf course. Many people thought this was too commercial and not in line with Buddhist values. The name 'Shaolin' has become very popular in movies, music, and video games. For example, there is a famous 1982 movie called 'Shaolin Temple' starring Jet Li, and the American hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan often mentions Shaolin in their songs.

In China, some people are not too upset if a monk breaks certain rules, like eating meat or having a girlfriend, because they see monks as people who focus more on martial arts and personal growth. However, stealing money is seen as a much more serious problem. If Shi Yongxin is found guilty of embezzlement and corruption, his reputation will be badly damaged, and many people will lose respect for him. The news about his investigation has become the most talked-about topic on Chinese social media, and people are waiting to see what will happen next. The last post on Shi Yongxin's own social media account was in July, and since then, there have been no updates from him.