Former Head Monk Of China’s Shaolin Temple Jailed For Embezzlement/BBC
The former leader of China’s renowned Shaolin Temple, considered the birthplace of kung fu, has been sentenced to 24 years in prison for various crimes, including embezzlement and bribery.
Shi Yongxin, who misappropriated temple assets exceeding 282 million yuan (approximately $42 million or £31 million) between 2003 and 2025, received his sentence from a court in Henan province.
According to the court’s findings, Shi exploited his official role to unlawfully acquire substantial funds from construction projects associated with the temple and offered significant bribes to Chinese officials.
Shi, born Liu Yingcheng, acknowledged his wrongdoing, as reported by China’s state news agency Xinhua.
He announced on Friday that he would not contest the ruling.
The historic Shaolin Temple, established over 1,500 years ago and situated in a mountainous region, draws thousands of disciples from both China and abroad each year.
Shi became the abbot in 1999 and quickly earned the moniker “CEO monk” for his efforts in transforming the temple into a globally recognized brand.
Under his guidance, the temple expanded its reach by opening schools internationally and creating a traveling group of monks who showcased Shaolin kung fu, the temple’s distinctive martial art style.
Last year, he was officially defrocked by China’s Buddhist association.
Shi was previously investigated for embezzlement and allegations of fathering multiple children in 2015 but was later cleared of those accusations.
In a BBC Chinese interview at the time, he remarked, “If there were a problem, it would have surfaced long ago.”
The name “Shaolin Temple” has become increasingly popular in popular culture, notably as the title of a 1982 film featuring Jet Li.
The temple has also been referenced in songs by the American hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan and served as inspiration for a spin-off of the video game Mortal Kombat.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong