Former Shaolin Temple monk sentenced to 24 years in prison for corruption and embezzlement
Former abbot of the Shaolin Temple has been sentenced to 24 years in prison after being found guilty of corruption and embezzlement by the court.
The former leader of China’s esteemed Shaolin Temple, recognized as the origin of kung fu, has received a 24-year prison sentence following his conviction for embezzlement, bribery, and various other corruption-related crimes.
A court in central Henan Province determined that Shi Yongxin, the former abbot of the temple, misappropriated assets totaling over 282 million yuan ($42 million) from 2003 to 2025.
The court stated that Shi misused his authority to illegally acquire millions of yuan from temple construction projects and made significant bribes to Chinese officials.
According to China’s state-run Xinhua news agency, Shi, born Liu Yingcheng, acknowledged his guilt during the proceedings. He subsequently declared that he would not contest the verdict.
The conviction signifies a significant decline for one of China’s most prominent religious figures. Shi assumed the role of abbot at the ancient Shaolin Temple, which has a history spanning 1,500 years, in 1999. He earned the moniker “CEO monk” due to his efforts in transforming the Buddhist institution into a prominent global cultural brand.
Under his leadership, Shaolin broadened its global presence by launching schools abroad and forming touring groups of monks who showcased demonstrations of Shaolin kung fu worldwide.
The temple, situated in Henan Province, draws thousands of disciples and visitors annually and stands as one of China’s most renowned religious and cultural landmarks.
Shi has faced legal troubles for many years. In 2015, he faced an investigation regarding allegations of embezzlement and fathering multiple children; however, he was subsequently exonerated of those claims.
At that time, he rejected the claims and stated to BBC Chinese: “If there were a problem, it would have emerged long ago.”
His fortunes shifted last year when China’s Buddhist Association declared that he had been defrocked, removing his monastic status.
The Shaolin Temple has historically held a significant position in worldwide popular culture. Its name achieved global fame through the 1982 martial arts film featuring Jet Li and has since been cited in music by the Wu-Tang Clan, as well as influencing characters and narratives in video games, including the Mortal Kombat series.
