Shaolin Temple abbot in hot water over gift of golden robe

The mainland's most flamboyant Buddhist abbot, Shi Yongxin, is under fire after accepting a robe made with gold thread worth an estimated 160,000 yuan (HK$181,700).

The acceptance of the robe, which is made of high-quality silk using an ancient cloud brocade, or richly decorative fabric, drew criticism as many believe the item contravenes the principle of frugal living espoused in Buddhist philosophy.

Abbot Shi, 43, of the famed Shaolin Temple is no stranger to controversy. He came under scrutiny in 2006 after accepting a 1 million yuan luxury SUV from the local government for his contribution to tourism, and the temple was criticised in April last year for spending US$430,000 on some lavish toilets.

Abbot Shi, who has been seen rubbing shoulders with politicians, business tycoons and celebrities and has been accused of turning the Shaolin Monastery into a cash cow at the expense of the integrity of religious teachings. Businesses built on the fame of the temple have gone beyond national borders, and the temple itself in Henan has become a hugely commercialised tourist attraction.

The robe, decorated with elaborate Buddhist patterns, such as the lotus and sacred vases woven in gold thread, was given to the abbot by Nanjing Yunjin Fabrics Research Institute, a private brocade company in the Jiangsu capital. Beijing Youth Daily reported that the robe contained gold thread worth 50,000 yuan. Zhou Bin, who works at a Shaolin Temple company that promotes intangible cultural heritage, said yesterday that he was perplexed by the uproar.

'How can something well intentioned like this become nasty in the public's eyes, and how could we possibly turn down a donation with no strings attached?' he asked.