https://www.scmp.com/rss/522107/feed The latest news and top stories on Shaolin Temple. A prominent Henan province-based monastic institution, Shaolin Temple is dedicated to Buddhist practices particularly Chan Buddhism. Located at the foot of the Songshan mountain range in Dengfeng county China, its main areas of activity include Chan Buddhism, martial arts notably Shaolin Kung Fu, Buddhist art and traditional Chinese medicine. Recognised as the birthplace of both Chan Buddhism and Shaolin Kung Fu, it is a UNESCO World Heritage... en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Fan Chen Fan Chen Prosecutors have formally indicted Shi Yongxin, the former abbot of the famed Shaolin Temple, four months after his arrest and following a string of financial and sexual scandals. Prosecutors in Xinxiang, Henan province, have formally charged Shi with embezzlement, misappropriation of funds, non-state official bribery and offering bribes, according to a Friday report from state news agency Xinhua. The 60-year-old former abbot led the Shaolin Temple for over 25 years and was ousted in July last... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3347373/former-shaolin-temple-abbot-indicted-bribery-and-embezzlement?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3347373/former-shaolin-temple-abbot-indicted-bribery-and-embezzlement?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 20 Mar 2026 13:14:58 +0000 Richard James Havis Richard James Havis Hong Kong producer-writer-director Wong Jing churned out so many films in the 1990s that some were bound to succeed. The underrated gem The New Legend of Shaolin, starring Jet Li Lianjie, stands out as a highlight, marrying lighthearted comedy and above-average action to good effect. The storyline, while simple, is logical and tightly structured, with highs and lows hitting the right beats. Moreover, Wong’s signature penchant for lowbrow comedy is deployed with restraint. When the cheesy jokes... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3338386/why-jet-li-and-wong-jings-1994-martial-arts-movie-new-legend-shaolin-underrated?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3338386/why-jet-li-and-wong-jings-1994-martial-arts-movie-new-legend-shaolin-underrated?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 04 Jan 2026 08:15:09 +0000 William Zheng William Zheng China’s official national Buddhist association has established its first supervisory body less than six months after the high-profile downfall of the “CEO monk”, former Shaolin Temple abbot Shi Yongxin. The move to improve oversight of Chinese Buddhist monks’ conduct was announced on Tuesday, a day after the Buddhist Association of China’s (BAC) 11th national congress concluded in Beijing. Shi Zhengci, the abbot of Wuzu Temple in Huangmei county, Hubei province, was elected as the association’s... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3338165/ceo-monk-scandal-china-creates-new-oversight-body-buddhist-clergy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3338165/ceo-monk-scandal-china-creates-new-oversight-body-buddhist-clergy?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 30 Dec 2025 12:00:09 +0000 William Zheng William Zheng The Communist Party chief of Henan province has made an impromptu visit to the famed Shaolin Temple, whose former abbot was rounded up on corruption charges earlier this year, and called for a clear boundary between the temple and business. Liu Ning made the comments during his first inspection of the temple on Sunday, according to a report by the official Henan Daily. The visit comes nearly five months after former abbot Shi Yongxin – known as “the CEO monk” – was abruptly removed amid... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3336493/chinas-scandal-hit-shaolin-temple-urged-draw-clear-line-between-business-and-religion?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3336493/chinas-scandal-hit-shaolin-temple-urged-draw-clear-line-between-business-and-religion?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 15 Dec 2025 11:00:18 +0000 Meredith Chen Meredith Chen Local authorities have formally approved the arrest of the former head of China’s famous Shaolin Temple, four months after he was placed under criminal investigation for alleged financial and sex scandals. Shi Yongxin’s arrest had been approved “on suspicion of embezzlement, misappropriation of funds, and accepting bribes as a non-state functionary”, the Xinxiang Procuratorate announced in a statement on Sunday. Xinxiang, in China’s central Henan province, is about two hours’ drive from the... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3332977/disgraced-shaolin-temple-abbot-shi-yongxin-closer-prosecution-over-money-scandals?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3332977/disgraced-shaolin-temple-abbot-shi-yongxin-closer-prosecution-over-money-scandals?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 16 Nov 2025 09:02:48 +0000 Richard James Havis Richard James Havis Stephen Chow Sing-chi became a Hong Kong superstar in 1990, inheriting the comic crown that was worn by Michael Hui Koon-man in the 1970s and kung fu comedians like Sammo Hung Kam-bo in the 1980s. But by the middle of the decade, overexposure had caused his star to wane. A more thoughtful filmmaker than his scatterbrained films often suggested, Chow realised he needed to make a change, focusing on increasing the quality and decreasing the quantity of his films. Consequently, the 1996 film The... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3328469/how-stephen-chows-god-cookery-proved-hong-kong-comedy-star-could-do-much-more?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3328469/how-stephen-chows-god-cookery-proved-hong-kong-comedy-star-could-do-much-more?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Oct 2025 08:15:07 +0000 Wee Kek Koon Wee Kek Koon Besides its famed martial arts techniques, the Shaolin Temple is usually portrayed as showing the peak of moral leadership over the denizens of jianghu, the “rivers and lakes” – a parallel universe of martial arts schools, secret societies and religious fraternities – in novels, television dramas and films. It is, therefore, a shock to many that Shi Yongxin, the former abbot of the Shaolin Temple, is facing an official investigation for financial and sexual misconduct. To restore the reputation... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/chinese-culture/article/3323552/shaolin-temple-scandal-would-have-led-far-harsher-reactions-ancient-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/chinese-culture/article/3323552/shaolin-temple-scandal-would-have-led-far-harsher-reactions-ancient-china?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 30 Aug 2025 00:45:08 +0000 Phoebe Zhang Phoebe Zhang Buddhists should obey the law, be patriotic, pay taxes and “play an active role in building the nation and society”, China’s Buddhist regulator said on Tuesday, speaking out for the second time this month about the disgraced abbot of Shaolin Temple. In a statement on its website, the Buddhist Association of China said that Shi Yongxin, the former abbot, had misappropriated and embezzled funds and temple assets, violated Buddhist regulations, and was suspected of criminal offences. “This has... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3322500/after-shaolin-temple-scandal-chinas-buddhists-urged-obey-law-and-pay-taxes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3322500/after-shaolin-temple-scandal-chinas-buddhists-urged-obey-law-and-pay-taxes?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 20 Aug 2025 08:09:53 +0000 Meredith Chen Meredith Chen China’s fabled Shaolin Temple, nestled in forest at the foot of a holy mountain in Henan province, is known as the cradle of kung fu and Zen buddhism. The 1,500-year-old monastery is also at the centre of scandal as its long-time celebrity abbot Shi Yongxin is investigated over alleged financial offences and sexual misconduct. Tourists and disciples continue to stream through the temple gates in Dengfeng, taking photos, lighting incense, bowing reverently in prayer and watching energetic kung fu... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3321438/shaolins-ceo-monk-scandal-may-prompt-overhaul-how-temples-are-run-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3321438/shaolins-ceo-monk-scandal-may-prompt-overhaul-how-temples-are-run-china?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 11 Aug 2025 22:00:16 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang The introduction of gruelling work schedules like those in China’s tech industry, or so-called Buddhist “996” reform, has swept through the internationally renowned Shaolin Temple. The new rules come in the wake of an investigation into former Shaolin abbot, Shi Yongxin, for financial and sexual misconduct and the appointment of his successor, Shi Yinle. After the downfall of Shi Yongxin, who led the famous temple in central China’s Henan province for more than two decades, it was announced that... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3321047/new-abbot-scandal-hit-china-shaolin-temple-enforces-buddhist-996-rule-30-monks-quit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3321047/new-abbot-scandal-hit-china-shaolin-temple-enforces-buddhist-996-rule-30-monks-quit?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 08 Aug 2025 06:00:08 +0000 Amber Wang Amber Wang China’s Buddhist regulator has promised to impose stricter discipline and supervision on the religion in the wake of the scandal surrounding the disgraced abbot of the Shaolin Temple. The Buddhist Association of China said in a lengthy statement on Thursday that it would “further deepen the comprehensive and strict governance of religion” after Shi Yongxin was placed under investigation for alleged financial and sexual misconduct. It said Shi’s actions had “a serious negative impact on the... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3321135/chinas-buddhist-regulator-pledges-stricter-controls-after-shaolin-abbot-scandal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3321135/chinas-buddhist-regulator-pledges-stricter-controls-after-shaolin-abbot-scandal?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 07 Aug 2025 13:34:15 +0000 Letters Letters Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words, and must include your full name and address, plus a phone number for verification A new Chinese film recounting the Nanking massacre has prompted a national reckoning with history. In its first week in release, Dead to Rights grossed 814 million yuan (US$113 million) and achieved... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3320466/nanking-massacre-film-speaks-resilience-ordinary-chinese?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3320466/nanking-massacre-film-speaks-resilience-ordinary-chinese?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 03 Aug 2025 03:30:15 +0000 Alice Yan Alice Yan The successor to the disgraced abbot of the internationally famous Shaolin Temple has shunned the lifestyle that got his predecessor into trouble. Two days after Shi Yongxin, the former head of Shaolin Temple in central China’s Henan province for more than two decades, was placed under investigation for financial and sex scandals, the temple announced that Shi Yinle, the abbot of The White Horse Temple, would replace him. Both holy places are located in Henan and are regarded as among the most... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3320408/new-head-scandal-hit-shaolin-temple-avoids-commercial-activities-does-manual-work-himself?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3320408/new-head-scandal-hit-shaolin-temple-avoids-commercial-activities-does-manual-work-himself?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 02 Aug 2025 08:00:13 +0000 SCMP SCMP We have selected seven stories from this week’s news across Hong Kong, mainland China, the wider Asia region and beyond that resonated with our readers and shed light on topical issues. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. China summons Nvidia to explain ‘back-door’ safety risk of H20 chip China’s cyberspace regulator has summoned Nvidia to explain whether its H20 chips have any “back-door safety” risks, casting a shadow over the US chip giant’s local... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/3320373/china-summons-nvidia-worlds-most-powerful-dam-disgraced-head-monk-scmps-7-highlights?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/3320373/china-summons-nvidia-worlds-most-powerful-dam-disgraced-head-monk-scmps-7-highlights?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 01 Aug 2025 05:10:07 +0000 Dannie Peng,Meredith Chen,William Zheng Dannie Peng,Meredith Chen,William Zheng China has appointed a new abbot to the Shaolin Temple, two days after authorities at the Buddhist monastery announced that Shi Yongxin, its head monk for more than 25 years, was under investigation for alleged financial and sex scandals. The abbot of White Horse Temple, Shi Yinle, will replace him, according to a brief statement from the Shaolin Temple on Tuesday. “In accordance with the regulations on the appointment of abbots of Chinese Buddhist Temples, after democratic evaluation and... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3319996/chinas-famous-shaolin-temple-gets-new-abbot-after-predecessor-removed?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3319996/chinas-famous-shaolin-temple-gets-new-abbot-after-predecessor-removed?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 29 Jul 2025 09:13:53 +0000 Dannie Peng Dannie Peng The abbot of China’s famous Shaolin Temple is under investigation for criminal offences including embezzling project funds and temple assets, according to a statement released by the Buddhist sanctuary on Sunday. Shi Yongxin, head of one of the most famous Buddhist monasteries in the world, is suspected of seriously violating Buddhist precepts and is currently under joint investigation by multiple departments, the statement added. The temple also accused Shi of maintaining improper relationships... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3319758/head-chinas-world-famous-buddhist-sanctuary-shaolin-temple-under-criminal-investigation?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3319758/head-chinas-world-famous-buddhist-sanctuary-shaolin-temple-under-criminal-investigation?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 27 Jul 2025 12:30:28 +0000