On the evening of 27/7, the Shaolin Temple Management Office announced that Abbot Shi Yongxin is suspected of criminal offenses, including embezzlement and misappropriation of temple funds and assets. He is also accused of serious violations of Buddhist precepts, maintaining improper relationships with multiple women over an extended period, and fathering children out of wedlock.

Shi Yongxin is currently under investigation by several agencies.

Abbot Shi Yongxin was apprehended by police in Xinxiang City, Henan Province, around 25/7. He had overseen the Shaolin Temple's operations for 38 years.

Shi Yongxin established a verified social media account on Weibo on 20/3/2018, amassing 878,000 followers. He typically posted every morning. His last post was around 6:58 a.m. on 24/7.

His most recent public appearance was 20 days prior, on 7/7, at a meeting with the entire monastic community at the Shaolin Temple.

Shaolin Temple Abbot Shi Yongxin. Photo: ifeng

Shaolin Temple Abbot Shi Yongxin. Photo: ifeng

Shi Yongxin, whose secular name is Liu Yingcheng, was born in 1965 in Fuyang City, Anhui Province. According to the Shaolin Temple's official website, he arrived at the temple in 1981 and became a disciple of the 29th abbot, Shi Xingzheng.

Following Shi Xingzheng's passing in 1987, Shi Yongxin inherited his robes and assumed the role of Head of the Shaolin Temple Management Committee, taking charge of all temple affairs.

In 1999, he became the abbot of Shaolin Temple. Since July 1998, he has served as President of the Henan Buddhist Association. Since September 2002, he has been Vice President of the Buddhist Association of China.

Shaolin Temple, built during the Northern Wei Dynasty (495), is nestled amidst the Songshan Mountains in Henan Province. It is renowned as the "birthplace of Chan Buddhism and the cradle of Chinese martial arts."

Tue Anh (Economic Observer)