On July 26th, the news of Shi Yongxin, the abbot of Shaolin Temple, being taken away for investigation, has sparked widespread social concern.
The rumor was first reported by the self-media “Meipai,” claiming that multiple reliable sources confirmed the news. Subsequently, “Chasing the Moon and Counting the Stars” published an article, confirming through insiders that Shi Yongxin had been taken away, and specifically pointing out that “this time may not be related to the economy,” making the nature of the event even more mysterious. This rumor quickly spread and became the most talked-about social topic on the 26th.
Media outlets such as “Phoenix Weekly” approached Shaolin Temple for confirmation. Mr. Zheng, in charge of external relations at Shaolin Temple, stated that they had not seen Shi Yongxin recently and asked reporters to wait for official information.
When questioned by the media, some monks at Shaolin Temple claimed they were not aware of the situation, while others said to “refer to official information.” Attempts by mainland media to call Shaolin Temple’s guest hall phone were met with a constant shutdown, and some monks chose to hang up when asked questions, further fueling speculation.
“Jiangnan City News” also reported on Shi Yongxin being taken away for investigation, noting that his personal social media account had not been updated since the early morning of July 24, 2025. This “internet celebrity abbot,” who averages 1.5 posts per day and has 870,000 followers, once again found himself in the eye of the storm – with multiple sources confirming that Shi Yongxin had been taken away for investigation by relevant authorities.
When the media called Mr. Zheng responsible for external relations at Shaolin Temple for confirmation, the call was instantly disconnected, leaving behind an ominous silence.
Shi Yongxin, as the abbot of Shaolin Temple, has long been in charge of the temple’s commercial operations, with an annual income reportedly exceeding two billion yuan. This excessive commercialization has been a focus of public scrutiny.
As early as 2015, Shi Yongxin was accused of accepting large sums of money and having an improper private life. Although the official investigation in 2017 concluded that there was “insufficient evidence,” rumors about his overseas assets and scandals have never ceased, keeping him embroiled in controversy for a long time.
Shi Yongxin currently serves as the Vice President of the Chinese Buddhist Association and the President of the Henan Buddhist Association, and has been a delegate to multiple sessions of the National People’s Congress. In the current system, temple leaders like Shi Yongxin are often referred to as “political monks,” enjoying status within the Communist Party system, with personal issues often having broader implications.
Shi Yongxin was once seen as the creator of the Shaolin Temple business empire, having founded the Henan Shaolin Temple Industrial Development Co., Ltd., and controlled the Henan Shaolin Intangible Asset Management Co., Ltd., with over ten companies in areas such as culture, catering, medicine, and fashion under his name.
Although Shi Yongxin has since withdrawn from the Shaolin Industrial Development and exited the Shaolin Intangible Asset Management in recent years, rumors about his corruption, improper private life, and overseas assets have not ceased, earning him the nickname of the “CEO in robes.”
In March 2024, there were online rumors that Shi Yongxin’s son, Shi Zheng’en, would inherit his legacy and become a new representative in the Buddhist community, but this was later debunked by the Shaolin Temple official statement.
In recent years, there have been frequent scandals in China’s religious circles, such as the accusations of sexual misconduct against Master Xuecheng of Beijing’s Longquan Temple and controversies surrounding Master Chuanzhen of Nanjing’s Xuanzang Temple due to his ties to government officials. The issues of corruption and immorality in China’s religious community have increasingly drawn social attention.