Thich Vinh Tin, once the abbot of Shaolin Temple, received a 24-year prison sentence and a fine of 515.000 USD on 29/5. The Xinxiang Intermediate People's Court in China found him guilty of numerous charges, including embezzlement, bribery, and misappropriation of funds. Thich Vinh Tin, also known as Luu Ung Thanh, accepted the verdict and will not appeal.

Former Shaolin Temple abbot Thich Vinh Tin. *Photo: Reuters*

The court determined that between 2003 and 2025, Thich Vinh Tin abused his positions as abbot and chairman of the Shaolin Charitable Welfare Foundation. He illegally misappropriated over 19,3 million USD from the organization's assets. Additionally, from 2012 to 2022, he unauthorizedly withdrew nearly 22,3 million USD from the temple's funds for personal use, failing to return the money for periods exceeding three months.

Further investigations revealed that from July 2006, Thich Vinh Tin illegally accepted over 1,7 million USD in cash and gifts. These payments were in exchange for helping partners secure construction contracts for the temple and other related business ventures. From 1995 to 2022, he also bribed state officials with nearly 837.000 USD to gain illicit benefits.

The court imposed a severe sentence due to the exceptionally large sums involved, the prolonged period of misconduct, and the serious consequences and negative societal impact. However, the judicial panel acknowledged that Thich Vinh Tin made honest confessions after his arrest, voluntarily disclosing additional criminal acts previously unknown to investigators, and expressed remorse.

Thich Vinh Tin, born in 1965 in Fuyang city, Anhui province, joined Shaolin Temple in 1981. He became a disciple of the 29th abbot, Thich Hanh Chinh. Following Thich Hanh Chinh's passing in 1987, Thich Vinh Tin assumed leadership as Head of the Shaolin Temple Management Board. He officially became abbot in 1999, spending decades promoting Shaolin martial arts globally.

Known as the "CEO monk," Thich Vinh Tin established dozens of companies, expanding Shaolin Temple's business into culture, cuisine, pharmaceuticals, and apparel. This commercialization, however, drew criticism for diluting Buddhist traditions.

Thich Vinh Tin came under investigation in July last year and was arrested in mid-November. The Buddhist Association of China criticized his conduct as "extremely poor, severely damaging the reputation of the Buddhist community and the image of monks."

Vu Hoang (According to China Daily, Dimsum Daily, SCMP)