The abbot of Shaolin Temple in Henan Province, China, is under investigation by authorities for embezzlement of temple assets and inappropriate relationships with several women.
According to state-run Xinhua News Agency and other Chinese media on the 28th, the Shaolin Temple management said the day before on its official website, "Abbot Xuyongxin is under a joint investigation by multiple departments for allegedly embezzling and occupying temple assets." It also noted, "Xuyongxin is also facing allegations of seriously violating Buddhist precepts and maintaining inappropriate relationships with several women over a long period, resulting in the birth of love children. Relevant situations will be announced at an appropriate time."
According to local media, rumors that 'Xuyongxin has been arrested' began circulating online on the 26th. Shaolin Temple has denied negative rumors related to Abbot Xuyongxin but has recently avoided direct responses to related inquiries.
There were also rumors online that the abbot was caught at the airport while trying to flee with several women in extramarital relationships and children. However, the police stated that this information is not true.
Xuyongxin had also been embroiled in controversy about relationships with several women and embezzlement of public funds around 10 years ago. In 2015, monks from Shaolin Temple, including his disciple Xuyuanlu, reported various corruption allegations related to the abbot, such as sex scandals and embezzlement of public funds, to the authorities. The Henan Provincial Bureau of Religious Affairs concluded after several months of investigation that the allegations were not true. Last year, there were rumors that the abbot was going to pass on the position of abbot to his son, which Shaolin Temple denied as 'fabricated and unfounded.'
Born in 1965, the abbot is from Anhui Province. He joined Shaolin Temple in 1981 and became the abbot in 1999. Since 1998, he has served as the president of the Henan Provincial Buddhist Association and as the vice president of the Chinese Buddhist Association since 2002. He holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree and has been referred to as the 'CEO of Shaolin Temple' after initiating various revenue-generating projects, including kung fu shows and film production, the sale of Shaolin Temple merchandise, and the establishment of domestic and international kung fu academies and meditation centers.