The Shaolin Temple in Henan Province denied rumors of “30 monks collectively resigning” after changing its abbot ten days ago. The management of the Shaolin Temple responded to the rumors circulating online by stating that they are “untrue”. Mainland Chinese netizens have expressed skepticism and ridicule in response.
According to the official WeChat account of the Shaolin Temple, the management released a “situation report” on August 9th, stating, “Recently, rumors circulating online about 30 monks collectively resigning from the Shaolin Temple are false. We hope everyone does not believe or spread rumors.”
Many netizens on Weibo questioned, “I want to ask a question, how high is the salary for monks at Shaolin Temple? What do they usually do?” “Salary increase?” “Monks can resign as well?” “If it’s not 30, then how many, 50 or 100?” “The Shaolin Temple should clarify that no monks have resigned, is this inaccurate information due to the number being incorrect?” “How many monks actually left? Is it 60?”
Some netizens sarcastically commented, “If monks resign or not, no one cares.” “A place of extravagance and indulgence.” “The facts prove that many rumors ultimately turn out to be true.”
“The Shaolin Temple now comes out and says that the news of 30 monks resigning is false, so how many actually did resign? The initial release of this news probably was based on interviews with the Shaolin Temple, where else would they have gotten the information from?”
“I still can’t understand, how did the announcement of Shi Yongxin losing ‘reproductive ability’ come about in 2015?”
The Chinese Communist Party’s official announcement on July 27th stated that the former abbot of the Shaolin Temple, Shi Yongxin, is suspected of criminal offenses, including misappropriation of project funds and temple assets, serious violations of Buddhist precepts, maintaining improper relationships with multiple women and fathering illegitimate children. He is currently under investigation by multiple departments.
Shi Yinle took over as the abbot of the Shaolin Temple on July 29th. Mainland media subsequently reported signs of the Shaolin Temple becoming “de-commercialized,” including the cancellation of some previous fee-based activities. Some reports mentioned that many monks left the Shaolin Temple due to the new regulations, with over 30 monks reportedly departing. The topic of the “Shaolin Temple resignations” briefly trended on Weibo.
On August 6th, the mainland media outlet “Urban Scene” cited Shaolin Temple staff as saying they had not heard of any monks or staff resigning, and the specific situation was unclear.
The official Buddhist Association of China stated on August 7th that the Shaolin Temple should strive to become a so-called “Buddhist place in the new era that supports the party and loves the country.”
Recent reports from mainland and Hong Kong media have continuously praised the new abbot Shi Yinle, emphasizing his efforts to de-commercialize the temple and transform the Shaolin Temple into a place of “pure practice.”
Public records indicate that Shi Yinle, 59 years old, graduated from the China Buddhist Academy and previously worked for the Henan Buddhist Association, serving as the Deputy Secretary-General and Deputy President. In October 2003, he took on the role of the abbott at White Horse Temple in Luoyang, and in November 2005, he became the abbot of Bai Ma Temple in Henan province. Shi Yinle has been a delegate to the National People’s Congress for two terms and a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference for one term.
Commentator Li Linyi told the Epoch Times that the Chinese Communist Party controls religion, with atheism at its core, and the ultimate goal of communism is to eliminate religion, not allowing genuine spiritual practice. Under strict political control, the so-called form of “pure practice” is just a facade for external relations and united front work.
It is worth noting that from the report on Shi Yongxin to the announcement of the new abbot’s appointment, and now the “debunking” of rumors, the reporting authorities are all under the “Shaolin Temple management.”
According to information from the Jinglai Lawyers WeChat account and other sources, the Shaolin Temple has been taken over by the government. Caixin Online reported that around May of this year, the local government stationed personnel at the Shaolin Temple under the name of the Shaolin Temple Management, with most of the members coming from the religious affairs bureaus and united front departments of Zhengzhou and Dengfeng cities.