Recently, the Shaolin Temple has been at the center of controversy ever since the former abbot, Shi Yongxin, was arrested. The new abbot of the temple has introduced several new regulations aimed at “de-commercialization,” sparking waves of resignations and igniting heated discussions online.
According to social media reports from mainland China, the new abbot of the Shaolin Temple, Abbot Yinle, has implemented various new rules to “de-commercialize” the temple. These rules include putting a halt to the global commercial performances by martial monks, shutting down QR code donation boxes, high-priced incense stalls, and the online Taobao store within the temple, and instead providing incense for free or accepting donations based on one’s willingness. Additionally, the new regulations sever the direct link between monks and commercial income, cutting off channels previously used for product endorsements and profit-sharing from performances.
Abbot Yinle has mandated that monks rise at 4:30 AM daily, engage in meditation, martial arts practice, scripture recitations, vegetarian meals, physical labor such as farming and construction work, and prohibit leaving the temple on weekends and holidays. Permission is required for family visits, limited to once a week, causing approximately 30 individuals to resign en masse.
The resigning group mainly consists of three categories: martial monks and staff dependent on commercial activities, young monks accustomed to lenient management, and some young monks who aspired to become “internet-famous martial monks” but found it challenging to adapt from “live streaming in a room” to “planting in the fields.”
On August 5th, the topic labeled “Shaolin Temple Resignation Wave” trended on Weibo.
Netizens commented, “The seat of the new abbot at Shaolin Temple hasn’t even warmed up yet, and the monks in the temple have already started ‘changing jobs’ one after another. It’s said that more than thirty monks left on the first day, and resignation reports have continued to pour in these days! This wave of resignations is quite thought-provoking!” “Shaolin Temple is like a big factory. When the treatment in the factory is good, everyone wants to get in. However, after the new factory manager introduced major reforms and discovered the welfare benefits were not as good, the number of resigning employees increased, which is quite ironic.”
“Be clear, whether you return to secular life or resign. Is Shaolin Temple a company or a temple? Temples also have resignations, it’s truly unprecedented. After resigning, can they easily join other temples?” “Monks resigning! So, they are employees, not true monks who renounce the world! No wonder many times they have self-interest; perhaps they were never entirely pure to begin with…”
“Monks are supposed to engage in scripture recitations, meditation, and sitting in contemplation. Once they enter the temple, they should lead a life of austerity, not indulgence. Engaging in farming, without entertainment from smartphones, finding it hard to endure temple life, departing may be the best choice.” “How many of them are true monks?” “How many monks today truly believe in Buddhism; it’s all business.” “Monks within the system can’t bear it anymore.”