Former Shaolin Temple abbot jailed over corruption and embezzlement

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Beijing: A Chinese court has sentenced the former abbot of the famous Shaolin Temple to prison after finding him guilty of embezzlement, misuse of funds and bribery in a case that has drawn widespread public attention.

Liu Yingcheng, better known by his religious name Shi Yongxin, was convicted of illegally taking and misusing large sums of money linked to temple operations, charitable activities and construction projects over more than two decades.

According to the court, Liu embezzled temple assets and diverted organisational funds for personal use while serving as abbot of the Shaolin Temple and head of a temple-affiliated charity foundation. He was also found guilty of accepting and giving bribes in connection with various projects.

Authorities said the financial crimes involved hundreds of millions of yuan and described the offences as particularly serious because of their scale and impact on society. In addition to his prison sentence, Liu was fined 3.5 million yuan.

Liu was removed from his position and stripped of his monk status in 2025 after an investigation into allegations of financial misconduct. Once one of China’s most prominent Buddhist figures, he had led the Shaolin Temple since 1999 and oversaw its transformation into a globally recognised cultural and commercial brand.

His leadership drew both praise and criticism, with supporters crediting him for expanding the temple’s international influence while critics accused him of commercialising Buddhism.

The court said Liu accepted the verdict and would not appeal. The ruling sparked strong reactions on Chinese social media, where many users welcomed the punishment, while others expressed hope that he would reflect on his actions and reform.

Pic Credit: AFP