Abbot scandals

[GeneChing]

Dispute over sports car for China's most famous monk (http://news3.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-08/22/content_4993996.htm)
www.chinaview.cn 2006-08-22 20:32:16

ZHENGZHOU, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- The gift of a luxury sports car by the Dengfeng City government to a monk for his contributions tothe local tourism industry has stirred up a heated debate on the Internet.

Shi Yongxin, the abbot of Shaolin Temple in Dengfeng in Henan Province, received the 1 million yuan (125,000 U.S. dollars) vehicle eight days ago at the city's tourism promotion conference.

"I will try my best to promote martial arts to the world in an attempt to boost local tourism. I dream of getting a bigger prize next year," said the abbot who is in charge of the place widely considered to be the birthplace of China's famed kungfu.

Following the award ceremony, tens of thousands of netizens pasted their opinions on net forums or surveys conducted by China's major web portals, including sina.com, sohu.com, yahoo.comand netease.com, to discuss the contentious move.

Results of the survey show that about three-quarters of the respondents consider that giving a luxury sedan to a monk is inappropriate.

"Shaolin monks are renowned for their austerity, transcriptions of religious classics and marvelous martial arts, but now, luxury goods have entered their lives, proving that the religious world has been violated by worldly concepts," an anonymous netizen wrote.

The netizen called for spiritual encouragement for religious people rather than material rewards.

Some of the criticism targets monks, saying they should not enjoy modern luxury goods in temples. "They have forgotten what their purpose is and are concentrating on what they shouldn't do," wrote a dissenter with the internet name "virtuous-way".

"His duty is to boost the martial arts spirit. Even if he contributes a lot to local tourism he should not be given a car," commented a netizen, adding that it is wrong to spend one million yuan on a car in a underdeveloped province.

Agriculture-oriented Henan is the most populous province in China with 96.67 million. The population will top 100 million in 2009, according to a recent estimate by English-language newspaper China Daily.

Poor villagers struggle to make a living. One of the most tragic aspects of Henan life is the existence of "AIDS villages" harboring people who contracted AIDS from dirty needles when they sold blood to illegal blood banks.

Those support the move consider the award is proper because driving and praying do not conflict each other in a monk's life.

"The Shaolin temple has made a large amount of profits over past years as its fame has escalated around the world. It is proper to reward the abbot with a sedan," a supporter with net-name of "Shaolin-believer" wrote.

"It is reasonable to award a person who made contributions to local tourism," a post says, adding that those who oppose the move may have never achieved anything.

"There aren't any laws to stipulate that monks can't drive a car," says another post, adding that the temple does a lot for local tourism due to their fame.

Shaolin Temple, built at Songshan Mountain in 496 during the Northern and Southern dynasties (420-581), has attracted nearly three million domestic and overseas tourists and gained an income of 75.5 million yuan (9.4 million US dollars), up 49 and 65.4 percent respectively over the same period last year.

Shaolin's martial arts has been gaining influence worldwide as actors of Chinese origin, such as Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan, use its stunts in a wide range of overseas films.

In 1987, former abbot of the Shaolin Temple passed away. Since then Shi Yongxin, who had joined the temple only six years before, has adopted the long robes and bowl of the venerable abbot, and stepped up the post of director of the Shaolin Temple Management Committee.

Becoming an abbot at the age of 22, earlier than any other monastery head in China, Shi Yongxin has constantly caused people to re-evaluate their traditional notions about Buddhist monks with his business-minded transformation of the temple and its arts, and promotion of Buddhism throughout the world over the past two decades.

Since 1986, he has led Shaolin monk delegations across China and abroad to perform Shaolin martial arts shows. In 1994, he played a leading role in the Chinese religious community in applying for "Shaolin" and "Shaolin Temple" to be registered as trademarks, and established a company for the management of the relevant intellectual property .

In 1996, when the Internet was in its first stages of being introduced to China, he established the official Web site of the Shaolin Temple.

During recent years, Shi has devoted much effort to the largest ever renovation project in the 1,500-year history of Shaolin Temple.

So far, the temple has been visited by leaders of many countries worldwide including Russian President Putin. Meanwhile, the temple has dispatched "standing martial monks" to more than 20countries, whose function is to conduct training and exchange programs there with the aim to spread the word of Buddhism and the Shaolin culture.

In addition, the martial-art performing delegations of the Shaolin Temple have visited more than 60 countries and regions. Their performances have instilled a respect and genuine interest in Shaolin culture across the world.

On the dispute of sedan award, the view of Shi is that if a monk wished to be respected, he must make contributions to the world outside of religious circle because all the dignitary monks in Chinese history gained their fame through great contributions to society.

"Via TV, Internet or whatever manner for spreading Buddhism and Shaolin culture, the theme of our efforts to promote religious development and Chinese martial arts is the same," the abbot said. Enditem

Editor: Ling Zhu

[The Xia]

I don't see a problem with it. The abbot recieved a fancy ride. Good for him. It doesn't make him a greedy person.

[qixingmantis]

to recieve a gift from someone in no way goes against any buddhist principles....i dont think the venerable abbot did any good deeds for any kind of gain..........so promote shaolin let people see the beauty of shaolin chan and gong fu.......id give him my car too for a minutes worth of their information now thats wealth....so yea ....fast and the furious....shaolin drift..............

[David Jamieson]

To the abbotmobile!

drive and feel the winds of a thousand years cross your bald pate.

[Pk_StyLeZ]

ok..its ok to recieve a gift...
but its messed up to say " I dream of getting a bigger prize next year"..espcially from an *abbot*
i think that what got people mad.....

[B-Rad]

"His duty is to boost the martial arts spirit. Even if he contributes a lot to local tourism he should not be given a car," commented a netizen, adding that it is wrong to spend one million yuan on a car in a underdeveloped province.
I think that's the issue right there... You have a poor area and give a fancy car to someone who obviously isn't supposed to care about getting personal luxeries. It's a big fat waste of money :p

Though, I think with that comment about getting a bigger prize, I really think he's meaning to tell people he wants to do an even better job of increasing tourism.

[David Jamieson]

One could say it's wrong to have government surplus dollars when there is homelessness in any shape or form.

One could say Lottery commissions are wrong for granting huge prizes to single individuals and not redistributing the monies out to those who need it most.

One could say that, and one could find many other examples of things that are wrong with how money is used or how wealth is distributed to people.

But it's a prize, the abbot is a man. Let him enjoy his prize and see what he does with it. As long as he's not attached to his material thing it doesn't matter does it.

[B-Rad]

One could say it's wrong to have government surplus dollars when there is homelessness in any shape or form.
When government dollars are being used for personal gifts for politicians, yes it is wrong.


One could say Lottery commissions are wrong for granting huge prizes to single individuals and not redistributing the monies out to those who need it most.
If lotteries redistributed all the money to those who need it most, it wouldn't be a lottery would it. ;) Lotteries have their own problems though, and many do argue that they shouldn't exist :p


One could say that, and one could find many other examples of things that are wrong with how money is used or how wealth is distributed to people.
Yes, one could say that and many do! There's lots of problems like that in the world, and though not really the worst case, this certainly is one of them.

[bungbukuen]

Graft is a very real, very serious, and very sensitive legal / regulatory issue for any government organization and corporation – Chinese and foreign alike. Going forward the temple has some very serious corporate governance issues to deal with, not to mention the need to bring in some experienced managerial brainpower to take over its corporate and strategic functions. Dont be surprised either if you see the abbott Shi Yong Xin himself going for a Harvard MBA in the near future. :p

[David Jamieson]

Let's not forget his roots either. :)

[Faruq]

Hasn't the Shaolin temple traditionally had great wealth? I have to admit the sports car was out in left field, but a monetary gift of that size for maintenance of the temple and those who preserve it's tradition, would not be entirely out of line. Maybe they'd be able to buy better training equipment and keep the grounds in better repair.

[BM2]

As usual I have to step up and correct my fellow forumites, you are missing the message of the post. What you should be posting is " ****!, let's see what that ride looks like!, Where's the pics Gene?":cool:

[bungbukuen]

This incident is a very serious infringement on anti graft law in China and is setting a very dangerous precedent. Not to mention that news of it will further frustrate the dirt poor farmers of the province and create more social instability for the government. Overall it was a very stupid move and all parties involved should have known better.

The abbot does not work for free. Shi Yongxin already earns a salary for the job responsibilities he performs - rumored to be above Rmb40,000 / month (about USD5,000). Not to mention fringe benefits. This type of income is well above most senior Chinese executives, not to mention the average monthly income rural farmers earn of Rmb300 (US$40). Where was the abbots greater sense of compassion when he accepted that car?

In order to reverse this illegal PR blunder the temple will have to return the car, and then make some a petty face saving donation to some local farming village. Dont be surprised is a few low level accounting clerks also loose thier jobs over this.

[GeneChing]

There's a pic in the following article

Ancient temple, modern monks (http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2006-08/16/content_666094.htm)
By Xiao Guo
Updated: 2006-08-16 10:35


Shaolin monks are renowned for their austerity and tedious transcriptions of religious classics. But now, luxury goods have entered their lives.

The abbot of the Shaolin temple in the central province of Henan, Shi Yongxin, was rewarded with a spectacular sports sedan worth 1 million Yuan (US$125, 000) for his contributions to the local tourism industry, the Henan-based Dahe Daily reported on August 15.

"I will try my best to promote martial arts to the world in an attempt to boost local tourism. I dream of getting a bigger prize next year, " says the abbot who is in charge of a place widely considered as the birthplace of China's famed Kungfu action.

But the contentious move is likely to stir heated discussion.

Eighty-two respondents do not consider that giving a luxury sedan to a monk is not proper, according to a questionnaire conducted by sina.com, one of China's leading web portals.

"The Shaolin temple has made a large amount of profits these past years as its fame has escalated around the world. It is not proper to reward the abbot with a sedan," an anonymous netizen wrote.

Some of the criticism targets monks, saying they should look down on their fame. "They have forgotten what they should do and are concentrating on what they shouldn't do," wrote an anonymous netizen.

"It is his duty to boost the martial arts spirit. Even if he contributes a lot to local tourism he should not be given a car," commented a netizen, adding that it is wrong to spend 1 million Yuan on a car in a poverty-stricken province.

Agriculture-oriented Henan is the most populous province in China. By the end of 2003, the population of Henan was 96.67 million. It is estimated to hit 100 million by 2009 according to domestic media reports.

Villagers struggle to make a living due to the poverty, creating AIDS villages that many of the villagers were infected with AIDS through dirty needles used when they sold blood to illegal blood banks.

Another 33 respondents are in favor of the move.

"It is reasonable to award a person who made contributions to local tourism," a post says, adding that those who oppose the move may have never achieved anything.

"There aren't any laws to stipulate that monks can't drive a car," says a post, adding that the temple does a lot for local tourism due to their fame.

Thirty-one others remain neutral.

International recognition of the temple has boosted Shi's fame.

In July 9, he went to Germany to watch the finals of the World Cup at the invitation of FIFA president Joseph S. Blatter.

In the Dengfeng area, all the big grandmasters like Chen Tongshan, the Liu Clan and Liang Yiquan have expensive rides and chaffeurs. I've had the priviledge of riding in Chen's car, a big fat fully-loaded Toyota SUV. You got to remember that such vehicles are harder to come by in China, so they really stick out. I wouldn't blink at a Toyota SUV here in CA, but in China, especially Dengfeng, it's like a hummer limo or something. So with the abbot, who has had a nice car for some time and also holds a position with the People's Congress, is somewhat expected to have a pimp ride. Of course, everyone has their perception of what a Buddhist abbot is supposed to be like, but that's generally based on a medieval ideal that doesn't really apply to the modern world. It's like monks with cell phones. That really messes with some people, especially westerners. Kwai Chang Caine didn't have a cell phone. But then again, if you're comparing today's monks to Caine, well, just think that over a little more.

Dengfeng awarded 10 cars to individuals that where vauled by the tourist industry. I'm not sure who got the other nine.

[David Jamieson]

but that's generally based on a medieval ideal that doesn't really apply to the modern world.

lol. You just described how a lot of people think kungfu should be as well with this little nugget. :p

[TonyM.]

Geez, it's not like he's the maharishi with thirty something cadillacs.

[GeneChing]

The Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh (aka Osho) had over 90 Rolls Royces. Personally, I got to respect anyone with more than two dozen Rolls. ;)

I've actually been out to Osho's meditation resort in Pune. I was staying in Pune to train under B.K.S. Iyengar and we went out there just to check it out. It was actually pretty nice.

[golden arhat]

what will others expect from the government he got a luxury sedan will this encourage future monks to be ordained with the idea( or at least it being one of the reasons ) of becoming rich and famous
and surely a monk would be modest enough to refuse it as he surely doesnt need a sedan

[Su Lin]

Has he got a driving licence!:p

[B-Rad]

So with the abbot, who has had a nice car for some time and also holds a position with the People's Congress, is somewhat expected to have a pimp ride. Of course, everyone has their perception of what a Buddhist abbot is supposed to be like, but that's generally based on a medieval ideal that doesn't really apply to the modern world.
Sounds like many people here in America who use religion to increase their own power and fortune. Maybe my not being a buddhist makes it difficult to see the difference, or maybe no one is doing a particularly good job of showing what positive impact the current Shaolin Temple has on society... I just fail to grasp at this point why the abbot should be looked up to and respected any more than any other self serving politician.

[B-Rad]

Has he got a driving licence!
I doubt he needs one, lol.

[bungbukuen]

The key issue is not whether the abbot is allowed to own mobile phones, cars, DVD players, and other consumer possesions. The problem is that this type of activity falls within the definitions of criminal graft. It is a very serious criminal offense in China, not to mention the rest of the world.

Secondly considering the extreme poverty in the region it is a very distasteful act on the part of the government and a supposed religious leader.

Lastly if the temple really needs another vehicle they should pay for it with thier own funds.

Gene you sound like you are trying to justify the entire action. Am I misreading you?

[GeneChing]

I've always found Shi Yongxin to be a fascinating and complex individual. Now I confess, I do have my allegiances to Shaolin. I'm a layman disciple. I was also the first person to publish an interview with him in English (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/magazine/article.php?article=398). Every time I go to Shaolin, I pay my respects to the Abbot. We have a good relationship, one that, given my position, I put effort into maintaining. I hope that someday I'll get to ride in this Abbot SUV. But note that I was also the one who started this thread, with a chiding title at that.

Probably what you're reading into my comments, bungbukuen, is my attempt to explain the workings of PRC and modern Shaolin. Religion in PRC is a very delicate issue. It's delicate in America too, but for converse reasons. Also, I like to bring attention to the complexity fo Shaolin. Many critics simply attack the simple fault but fail to see the complete circumstances.

For me, the question of this having a criminal graft element is a red herring. The award seems to be as on the up-and-up as it could be, given the nature of it all. Clearly, if Dengfeng tourism is going to be giving out SUVs for people that have helped that economy, the Abbot should be the top of the list. Like I said before, I'd love to know who got the other nine. The juxtaposition of extreme poverty versus a wealthy monastic class could be more easily and more appropriately levelled at the Dalai Lama. The political nature of the Abbot is also a PRC thing. Note that many outstanding martial artists have served as part of People's Congress, including GM Liang Yiquan (one of the top ten masters of China) as well as many leading wushu champions. That's just the way that People's Congress works. Representatives are selected based on their accolades, not by popular vote.

For me, it's more of a Buddhist challenge. Buddhism preaches non-attachment. That's becoming more of a challenge to any modern practitioner because frankly, there's more stuff. Twenty years ago, there would have never been this discussion because there weren't really SUVs. But even in the medieval-like setting of pre-communist Tibet, you can see flagrant abuse in terms of have and have-not. I touched on this very breifly in my July August 2006 cover story (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/magazine/article.php?article=661). Osho is another example, although he's not really Buddhist, and he had a lot of other issues beyond questionable spiritual practices and materialism.

Shaolin's Abbot is clearly on the path of acquisition. We've documented how he wants to restore Shaolin, to rebuild and recover, in many articles. He's had a luxury car for years. Now he's be awarded another luxury and the Shaolin kicker is that he says he wants a better one next year. That's wacky. I think it's worth discussing here because it cuts across many issues that we Shaolin practitioners grapple with constantly.

[bungbukuen]

The fact that the car awarding ceremony was a public event does certainly give the appearance of being perfectly legal. Obviously graft activity normally takes place under more secretive conditions. I mean who would publically engage in bribes? In this context it may have been innnocent and nothing more than pure stupidity. But ignorance of the law is not a valid defense.

In terms of the definition of graft, the mechanics of kickbacks, and the transaction itself, the gift care does certainly fit the definition of graft and under stingent definitions is punishable at a minimum of 10 years in jail.

As a layman disciple under Shi Yongxin I can understand your aprehension Gene, but please do check up on your PRC criminal law facts law before dimissing anything.

Nerd Facts:
PRC law defines bribery as the giving of moneys or goods to personnel of State organizations or public servants for improper benefits. Improper benefits are also defined as excessive amounts of money or gifts, and are considered bribes.

Under PRC law, government administrative personnel may NOT:

a) Receive gifts while discharging official duty within the PRC. Gifts are gift articles, gift money, vouchers or goods purchased with nominal costs, whether given outright or in the name of or in the form of receptions, ceremonies, seminars, weddings and funerals;

(b) Receive gifts in performing official duties relating to foreign parties only. Such gifts are gift articles, gift money or vouchers, and must be reported according to value.7

According to section eight under criminal law in China, graft in the amount of more than Rmb100,000 is punishable to a minimum of 10 fixed years in prison.
The fat abbots pimp ride is easily worth over Rmb100,000 in China.

Source:
1. PRC Criminal Law - Chapter VIII: Graft and Bribery
2. Provisions Against Offering and Accepting Gifts by State Administrative Organs or Personnel in Performing Official Duties within the PRC (《国家行政机关及其工作人员在国內公务活动中不得贈送和接受礼品的规定》), art. 2-4.

[lunghushan]

It's kindof old news the 'Shaolin' temple is a sellout commercial institution now.

Don't know why this is big news. ??? China is all about money now, and as for graft, this is one government institution giving something to somebody.

'Layman disciple' ????? How can you be a disciple of a commercial enterprise, that's kindof a joke. It's just a marketing ploy to increase their membership and revenue.

[GeneChing]

Sure grafts etc. are illegal in China, but there's a country that sometimes seems to run on kickbacks. I think a lot of it stems from the guanxi tradition. Anyway, if they bust the abbot for accepting this car on the basis of it being a graft, bungbukuen, I'll be quite impressed by your observation. If not, red herring.

As for Shaolin being a sell out, that's really about how you define sell out. Questions about Shaolin's validity have been going on for centuries. Tourism has been an issue at Shaolin for longer than the USA has been an independant nation. Check out my article Shaolin Trips: Episode 4 - A Hero Watching the Formation - Chapter Four: Xingqiyi (Monday): Shaolin Revisited, the First and Second Generals, and - oh yes - the Tournament (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/ezine/article.php?article=586). The 7th graphic from the top is a tourist map of the area that dates back 14 centuries.

But for the record, I'm a layman disciple of a specific monk (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/magazine/article.php?article=501). There are plenty of us. It's no big thing. Most martial artists will disciple under some master at some point.

[lunghushan]

As for Shaolin being a sell out, that's really about how you define sell out. Questions about Shaolin's validity have been going on for centuries. Tourism has been an issue at Shaolin for longer than the USA has been an independant nation. Check out my article Shaolin Trips: Episode 4 - A Hero Watching the Formation - Chapter Four: Xingqiyi (Monday): Shaolin Revisited, the First and Second Generals, and - oh yes - the Tournament (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/ezine/article.php?article=586). The 7th graphic from the top is a tourist map of the area that dates back 14 centuries.

But for the record, I'm a layman disciple of a specific monk (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/magazine/article.php?article=501). There are plenty of us. It's no big thing. Most martial artists will disciple under some master at some point.

Wow, I had no idea. I thought it was a recent thing.

I'll never be a disciple. I don't have enough discipline. Or tact. Or patience. :)

[bungbukuen]

Gene - no need to try to sugar coat graft by implying that everyone does it in China. While it is prevelant, it is also something that exists in every country including the US - Enron being a classic example.

Of course the Abbot nor the awarding party will not be going jail. There was nothing malicious about it. But I am forecasting that he will be returning the car soon.

BBK

[GeneChing]

bungbukuen, you seem to think that I'm trying to spin doctor this into some sort of positive thing. Now why would I do that? If this was something that I felt should be hidden or sugar coated, why would I have started this thread here in the first place?

[David Jamieson]

wow! A toureg! That's a sweeeet ride for sure!

[BM2]

If this was already linked or posted and I missed it, just delete it. It does have a few photos with it
Shaolin Temple goes commercial
By Guo Qiang (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2006-08-31 09:56

[Learn more about the Shaolin Kungfu]

Shi Yongxin, the abbot of Shaolin Temple, widely considered the birthplace of Chinese Kung Fu, spends most of his day greeting corporate executives, government officials and friends from all over the world and dealing with dinner invitations and business instead of shepherding all disciples.


The abbot of the Shaolin temple in the central province of Henan, Shi Yongxin, stands beside a spectacular sports sedan worth 1 million Yuan (US$125, 000), which is awarded to him for his contributions to the local tourism industry. [Dahe Daily]


When Henan officials presented Shi with a spectacular sports sedan valued at one million yuan (US$125, 000) for his contributions to the local tourism industry, it raised increasing doubts that Shi is a monk who is dedicated to fortune rather than religion, the Beijing News Reported on August 30.

"I resorted to using commercialization to promote Shaolin culture," Shi says. "I believe that people who concentrate on hard work can understand me."


Shi Yongxin. [Beijing News]
Displaying photos of top Chinese leaders such as Jiang Zemin, Li Peng and Wu Yi along with Russian President Vladimir Putin and former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, Shaolin Temple is marked with Shi's commercialization efforts.

Shi was admitted to the temple in 1981 when it was in a total recession with dozens of monks staying at the temple, where they lived on 28 mu (1.86 hectares) of farmland. Nine of them were elderly.

He began to serve as abbot in 1987, five years after the internationally acclaimed wuxia (literally meaning martial arts) movie 'Shaolin Temple', starring Hong Kong star Jet Li, which put the temple in the international spotlight.

Shi has been trying to strengthen cultural exchange and promote the reputation of the temple since 1987, according to the paper.

"I aim to make Shaolin culture something people want to study," Shi says.

The abbot has set up research cooperatives with dozens of mainland universities, including Tsinghua University and Peking University.

He has continued his cultural exchange with the international community.

Shi has purchased 12 square kilometers of land in Australia and is prepared to build a Shaolin martial arts cultural center he says will be built according to traditional Chinese construction methods.


A monk of the Shaolin Temple holding a club rides a moto bike on a road August 24, 2006. [Beijing News]


"It may serve as a construction museum or an educational base," Shi says.

Shi's moves have sparked criticism nationwide from media reports to Internet online posts.

"They have forgotten what their purpose is and are concentrating on what they shouldn't do," Xinhua quoted an online post as saying.

Shi has moved to build a Shaolin medicine office in the southwest area of the temple, and he is stepping up efforts to set up a Shaolin museum, according to the paper.

"Before I can do anything the temple needs to acquire more land," Shi says.

"The expanded Shaolin temple is in need of land and I'm considering building a museum, a practice hall, a Buddhist palace a science exchange center."

[LongPath]

It looks like they are heading towards the theme park model. Let's face it, "Shaolin" is a romantic dream from the past. What exists today is there to comemorate it, and there is probably nothing wrong with that as far as it goes. I live in the southwestern United States where there are reconstructed "ghost towns" with re-enactments of old west shoot-outs. Nothing wrong with it, just don't get confused and start thinking it's "real." ;)

[GeneChing]

...meawhile, in related news...

China's love affair with the car off to bumpy start (http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2006-08-30-china-cars_x.htm)
Updated 8/30/2006 10:31 PM ET


Wang Junsheng prefers teaching kung fu but says teaching beginning drivers at the Flourishing China Driving School pays better.
By Calum MacLeod, USA TODAY

BEIJING — As a farmer's son growing up in England, I always thought I'd learn to drive in a field. Somehow it never happened. Until last month, near Bean Village in eastern Beijing, where at age 37, I began taking driving lessons.

My field of driving dreams is being eaten up in China's race to urbanize. The roads being paved through farm country at the fringes of China's capital are some of the most dangerous in the world.

"Thirty years ago, this was all fields and trees," reminisces traffic cop Li Baocheng as he drives through Beijing's eastern suburbs. He's worked here since 1974. "There were very few cars on the roads back then. My job was very relaxed."

Today Li's beat is a choking sprawl of factories and highways. Every day, 1,000 brand new drivers hit the city's streets, the Beijing environmental bureau says. "New drivers are my biggest headache," Li moans. "Some days I don't have time to eat. There's an accident every 10 minutes."

China has fallen in love with the car. Beijingers today enjoy better jobs and freer travel. More than 4 million of them — more than a quarter of the capital area's 15 million people — now carry driver's licenses. Their 2.7 million cars clog the capital's arteries, according to the 2006 Beijing Road Safety Exhibition.

China is the world's fastest-growing car market. Nationally, car sales leaped almost 50% to 1.8 million in the first half of 2006, the state Xinhua News Agency says. But the fallout is deadly: There were 99,000 auto-related fatalities last year, according to the Road Safety Exhibition. That made road accidents the No. 1 non-disease killer in the country, ahead of floods, fires and other disasters. China's 1.3 billion people own just 2% of the world's vehicles, but account for 15% of global traffic deaths, according to the Ministry of Communications.

Liu Xiaolei is unperturbed. "It will be easier to find a girlfriend if I can drive," says the 18-year-old. "All Chinese girls now want boyfriends who can drive."

To end his love drought, Liu has joined me and other beginners at Flourishing China Driving School in eastern Beijing. Most of the students here will emerge clutching their driver's licenses in just six weeks — without ever having left the compound to drive on real roads, which are packed with China's heedless, dare-to-die bicyclists and pedestrians. Hopefully, by then, this late starter will have a license, too.

My fellow students at Flourishing China are aghast: You're a 37-year-old Westerner and you can't drive?

The one person who does believe me is my instructor, Wang Junsheng, who as it happens is also a kung fu martial arts master from the home of flying fists, the famed Shaolin Temple in Henan province.

Wang, 27, says he would rather be teaching martial arts, but being a driving instructor pays better. "Get out!" he shouts frequently. So I exit the driver's seat of our shiny Hyundai Elantra.

"This is how you do it," Wang says, removing the brick he placed under the gas pedal to keep me from speeding.

In just 23 seconds, he screeches in and out of two parking spaces separated by slalom poles, this challenge being one of three on China's standardized driving test. Beginners like me can take as long as we like to make the maneuver. We're supposed to navigate the poles by using a scheme of colored dots placed on the rear window.

Many of China's drivers are the first in their families to get behind the wheel. Ten years ago, Chinese learners practiced by driving on ordinary streets. When numbers boomed, the government corralled them at schools like Flourishing China, a huge plot with 175 training vehicles and mock hazards.

Student drivers pay $380 for a 58-hour course. First, though, they must pass a tough online "theory" test on the rules of the road. Thanks to Wang, I'm now at the final stage — the "road" test, which, thankfully, takes place on the grounds of the driving school and not amid the mayhem on real Chinese roads.

That's the trouble, says red-faced taxi driver Zhang Chunqiu. "There are too many killers on the roads because people don't learn (to drive) on real roads," he says, swerving to avoid a cyclist who has stopped in the middle of an expressway to pick up plastic bottles.

Policeman Li says change is coming: Beijing will reintroduce genuine road tests at the end of the year. That will mean fewer accidents, he says — and more time for lunch.

[Samurai Jack]

Of course, everyone has their perception of what a Buddhist abbot is supposed to be like, but that's generally based on a medieval ideal that doesn't really apply to the modern world.

Not the least of which is of course the Buddhist community who looks to the abbot for spiritual guidance. It dosent' send a particularly good message when the head of the seat of Zen/Chan for the entire world breaks the 8th grave precept that all monks of his order take:

"I vow to refrain from indulging in miserliness and action for material gain."

But that's just me. Maybe he intends to use his SUV for the benifit of all sentient beings.

[unkokusai]

So, if he drove a Corolla he would be more 'enlightened' in your view? :confused:

[Samurai Jack]

How enlightened is someone who vows to do one thing agreeing that it's wrong, then goes back on his word and does it anyway?

But this issue isn't really about enlightenment. It's about the role of a priest. I couldn't care less if a former Catholic Priest took a wife, but an active Catholic Priest is forbidden to do so. If the Pope decided to marry, it would be big news and would turn the entire Catholic community on it's ear.

So why is it okay for the Abbot of Shaolin to drive an expensive car, but not the 'lowlier' monks, who all took vows against such things?

As a practicing Buddhist, I find such behavior offensive.

[Samurai Jack]

Here's a little day in the life for a "well off" student of Shaolin, Anthony Graceffo, who has written several articles for KFM about his experiences:


While the other students have to live in crowded rooms with bunk beds, I have my own room. It is a 12 X 12 concrete box, devoid of any amenities apart from my steel frame bed. There is no box-springs or even a mattress. My blanket is simply laid out on a wooden plank. The house itself is just a concrete block with no comforts. We have no running water. Miao Ping helps me by having his little brother fill my water jug in the kitchen once a day. We are allotted one liter of drinking water per person, per day.

There is no shower or even a toilet. We have to take a bus into town to take a shower, once a week. As for the toilet, it is a smelly, snow-covered hole, a little too close to the kitchen for my tastes.

Our meals consist of vegetables, rice, and mantao, three times a day. There is never any tea or any beverage apart from our meager drinking water. I learned to drink the water quickly, because if you let it stand sediment would collect in the bottom and make it even more foul tasting.

If the students don't even have clean drinking water, how can the Abbot justify driving a couple of sports cars?

Is this how we want Buddhism to be represented?

[Banjos_dad]

The range of his abbotry shall be augmented! With the aid of two cars perhaps he can become the most productive Abbot that Shaolin has even known.
Thus raising the bar for all those who would follow...
;)

this thread reminds me of the koan. joshu is asked "Has a dog Buddha-nature?"

I lived in Portland when the whole Bhagwan thing was happening. He also owned an old residential hotel downtown about 3 blocks from where I lived. At the airport, his fleet of DC-3 aircraft stood out as well...
I don't know a lot about Yongxin but if he is cut from the same cloth as the bhagwan it will not take long to manifest in his actions

[Banjos_dad]

hmmm i ought to point out i am neither likening the Abbot to either a dog or Rajneesh!

[GeneChing]

...to the fat bling cassock. :rolleyes:


Controversial abbot is new Shaolin kungfu chief (http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/south-asia/controversial-abbot-is-new-shaolin-kungfu-chief_100210305.html)
June 27th, 2009 - 6:59 pm ICT by ANI

Beijing, June 27(ANI): Shi Yongxin, China’s most controversial monk, has been named the principle inheritor of the Shaolin kungfu.

“The decision has been approved by China’s State Council. With the honor, Yongxin is expected to shoulder greater responsibilities and take more initiatives to better preserve Shaolin martial arts,” Xinhua quoted Chen Gaofeng, an official of the Shaolin Temple, as saying.

Earlier, Yongxin had caused a stir by accepting the gift of a luxury cassock on June 8. A private brocade company gave the cassock to Yongxin, which had traditional Buddhist patterns such as the lotus and sacred vases woven in gold thread.

Yongxin, however, maintained that the cassock was only a gift and he had never asked for it.

The Shaolin Temple has been criticized for recently installing lavish restrooms worth 430,000 dollars and the reception of an extravagant four-wheel-drive vehicle from the local government.

Yongxin expressed his delight at the title being given to a Shaolin monk rather than to someone from outside the temple. (ANI)

[richard sloan]

How enlightened is someone who vows to do one thing agreeing that it's wrong, then goes back on his word and does it anyway?

But this issue isn't really about enlightenment. It's about the role of a priest. I couldn't care less if a former Catholic Priest took a wife, but an active Catholic Priest is forbidden to do so. If the Pope decided to marry, it would be big news and would turn the entire Catholic community on it's ear.

So why is it okay for the Abbot of Shaolin to drive an expensive car, but not the 'lowlier' monks, who all took vows against such things?

As a practicing Buddhist, I find such behavior offensive.

actually, catholic priests can marry, eastern rite catholics are married priests. in the early church, the celibacy rule came about more because wealth was leaving the church through inheritance, if a priest's son did not follow in his father's foot steps.

many communal religious groups faced that issue.

all the early pope's were married, with families, as were the 12 disciples.

also, you can become a catholic priest from another christian tradtion, and remain married.

The historical Buddha was himself married, and had a child, who joined him in the sangha.

Buddha seemed reluctant to codify the precepts, as the story goes he created them mostly on an individual basis. So don't be too offended. Many of them are not supposed to make sense.

I believe it was Campbell who said, people don't go to a steak house, rip off the piece of the menu where it says 'rib-eye', pop it into their mouths and think they are eating rib-eye steak. But when it comes to religion or spiritual systems...people are chewing up menus.

[r.(shaolin)]

actually, catholic priests can marry.

Actual if one is a Catholic priest he cann't marry. You can convert and become a Catholic priest from another Christian tradition, and remain married, however you can not marry after becoming one. Although there have been married popes in the Catholic Church none were married after becaming pope.
see (http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cclergy/documents/rc_con_cclergy_doc_01011993_chisto_en.html):


r.

[GeneChing]

What the hell does Catholic priest restrictions have to do with Buddhist austerities?

[Lucas]

With the bling associated with a pimp ass ride, the abbot can cruise buddhist exposure to even more people!

wasnt it a gift anyway? it would be extremely rude to not make use of the gift.

[LFJ]

It dosent' send a particularly good message when the head of the seat of Zen/Chan for the entire world breaks the 8th grave precept that all monks of his order take:

"I vow to refrain from indulging in miserliness and action for material gain.

dont assume that the chinese monastics take precepts derived from soto zen. they dont.

you say "zen/chan" so easily, but they are in fact two very separate traditions.


So why is it okay for the Abbot of Shaolin to drive an expensive car, but not the 'lowlier' monks, who all took vows against such things?

neither the abbot of shaolin nor any "lowlier" monks take any such vows.

by the way, i know several other monks in shaolin who drive cars. and they were all gifts, of course.


If the students don't even have clean drinking water, how can the Abbot justify driving a couple of sports cars?

not sure how the abbot is somehow responsible for the financial welfare of all the schools in the surrounding area.

but imagine if none of the monks could drive cars. it would be very inconvenient and a lot less work would get done.

there is no precept they take against driving a car anyhow.

what kind of car do you drive?

[LFJ]

wasnt it a gift anyway? it would be extremely rude to not make use of the gift.

right, many people just have the strangest ideas of what a monk should and should not do. (ironically, none of them have the faintest clue of what precepts the monks actually take)

i remember one monk who one day was waiting to cross the street and took a glance at his watch. just then a woman approaching said to him; "monks shouldnt be concerned with time."

:)

[Lucas]

well, monks certainly used horse, or mule, cart to get around before cars...so. ya.

its essentially the exact same thing.


"monks shouldnt be concerned with time."


LOL, as if monks dont have schedules to keep as well.

oh wait i get it, the lady must think that monks should just 'know' what time it is.

:rolleyes:

[GeneChing]

It's more a question of what is done with those gifts.

I remember going to Shaolin in '96 and several of the monks, Decheng, Xinghao, Deqing, et.al., had just come back from a Europe tour. They were clad in all sorts of gifts and souvenirs - nice clothes, jackets, even some weird jewelry like rings and bracelets. They were flaunting the stuff when they returned, and that received a lot of 'oohs' and 'ahhs' from the locals, who weren't so exposed to such fashion. It was a bit surreal. However, over the next month, all of those gifts filtered out amongst the locals. You see one of the new jackets on one of the students, a new shirt for one of the local folks - Deqing even gave one of the Americans in my group this weird ring bracelet jewelry piece (it wasn't that valuable - kind of weird, truth be told).

A basic tenet of Buddhist practice is non-attachment. So ultimately, the abbot is at fault if he becomes attached to his car and cassock. But if he puts it to proper use, whatever that might be, there's no conflict.

The car thing was three years ago. The cassock is a bit of a stretch in my mind - media trying to milk that car again. Luxurious cassocks have been traditional gifts for monks for a long time. According to one of Shaolin's most venerated legends, Emperor Li Shinmin awarded the 13 Shaolin monks who helped him with cassocks, and given that he was a founding emperor, I'm sure those were very regal cassocks.

[Shaolin Wookie]

What's a cassock? Is it like, a pair of long underwear or something?

I've got some fancy red longjohns. The buttflap is remote controlled, kind of like a garage door.

[Shaolin Wookie]

Come to think of it, it's pretty spacious in there. Is he looking for a place to park his car? Wait....

Now that I think of it, maybe he should just borrow my longjohns and park his car in his own spacious buttflap.

[Lucas]

robes

.......

[GeneChing]

Ever see those open bottom pants that toddlers wear in China?
kai dang ku (http://www.tmuscle.com/img/photos/2008/08-atomicdog-025/image001.jpg)
:rolleyes:

[Lucas]

You mean im not supposed to be wearing those here in Oregon? :eek:

[Shaolin Wookie]

You mean im not supposed to be wearing those here in Oregon? :eek:

I'm just concerned that Gene can produce pictures of naked boys at the drop of a dime.:eek:


Where was that Busted Teachers thread..........

[Raipizo]

lmao i love those toddler pants shouldn't we have those over here for the elderly?

[sha0lin1]

Ever see those open bottom pants that toddlers wear in China?
kai dang ku (http://www.tmuscle.com/img/photos/2008/08-atomicdog-025/image001.jpg)
:rolleyes:

We got quite a few laughs out of those. No need for diapers in China. Everywhere we went we saw some toddler taking a squat. China could be a pedophiles paradise for sure.

[LFJ]

Everywhere we went we saw some toddler taking a squat.

sidewalks, train station floors, and not just toddlers....

[Raipizo]

Lmfao that is disgusting, possibly the reason of Sars.

[GeneChing]

Interesting timing with the 1st Shaolin Summit & SANA (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=60282) happening in two weeks.


Kung fu temple dismisses vice rumor (http://www.china.org.cn/china/2011-05/10/content_22531587.htm)
Shanghai Daily, May 10, 2011

Shaolin Temple yesterday rejected online rumors that its abbot was caught by police visiting prostitutes.

The Buddhist temple, which is famed for its links to China's martial arts, said the rumors about Abbot Shi Yongxin were a vicious libel and that it retains the right to take legal action.

The stories hurt the feelings of Buddhists and seriously tarnished the reputation of the abbot, according to a statement the temple posted on its website, China News Service reported yesterday.

Shaolin Temple and the abbot felt deep regret about the claims and retain the right to hold the person legally responsible, the statement said.

Rumors have been circulating online that Shi was caught paying for sex in central China's Henan Province, where the temple is located, during a police raid to crack down on prostitution.

According to the rumors, Shaolin Temple said it heard about the incident before but didn't say whether it was true. It was also claimed the temple later explained that Shi was performing a Buddhist service for the prostitute, rather than having sex with her.

Shi, the temple's 30th abbot, was previously mired in controversy for vigorously promoting commercial development of the ancient temple. He initiated the opening of a Shaolin pharmacy and monks have visited many countries to perform kung fu shows.

The abbot says he uses these activities to spread Buddhist culture and revitalize the monastery.

Shaolin Temple was built in the fifth century and nestles in the Songshan Mountain in Dengfeng City.


Shaolin must meet moral challenges on new path (http://opinion.globaltimes.cn/observer/2011-05/653294.html)
Source: Global Times
[02:49 May 10 2011]

An online rumor that Shi Yongxin, Shaolin Temple's abbot, was found soliciting a prostitute and taken away by local police during a recent crackdown on pornography has spread like wildfire on the Web. The temple issued an online statement Sunday, saying their abbot was hosting activities in the temple these days and the message was "pure slander."

This is not the first time that the 46-year-old abbot has witnessed attempts to tarnish his public image. Last year, the temple's website was taken down by a hacker attack, and a letter purportedly written by the abbot was posted there, proclaiming Shi a sinner ashamed of setting the temple on a path of no return to commercialization.

Meanwhile, Shi's photos, taken while being awarded a luxury sports car by local government for his contributions to GDP or toting an iPad to a meeting of the National People's Congress, have been transferred to various online forums and stirred up huge controversy.

In China, it is widely believed that a Buddhist temple should be a tranquil, detached sanctuary where people can seek peace of mind. This may be what people wish for, but the reality is quite the opposite – in this bustling and dazzling era, an insular temple usually struggles to survive and may fall into a desolate condition.

Shi believes that the Shaolin Temple should be integrated into modern society. Over the past few years, he has used his business acumen to enhance Shaolin's reputation as a cultural treasure. He has improved the destitute sight of his temple and publicized Shaolin's name awareness abroad. He deserves some respect for developing the temple into a world-famous landmark and helping Shaolin prosper.

At the moment, Shi needs to take a break from his tight schedule and think more about his role as abbot. Shi is a high-profile figure and he must be aware that some of his deeds have cast doubt on the spiritual essence of Shaolin.

News reports on Shaolin staging global kung fu performances, building luxury tourist lounges, holding bikini fashion shows and even planning "chain stores" make people worry that the temple may be facing a moral crisis.

After removing economic pressure, shouldn't there be a bottom line under the feet of the Buddha?

Religions have never been separate from "secular" monetary and material support. The public needs to be more tolerant of Shi's promotion of the Shaolin brand name and avoid relating everything he does to capitalist impulses.

In the meantime, Shi must find the subtle balance point between the secular and the spiritual. He must manage the age-old cultural gem in a way that society can accept. This poses a real challenge to the abbot's future strategy.

[GeneChing]

Shaolin Temple deny abbot caught with prostitute (http://news.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Asia/Story/A1Story20110511-278183.html)
China Daily/Asia News Network
Wed, May 11, 2011
By Gao Qihui

The Shaolin Temple's 30th abbot, Shi Yongxin, has been involved in an online rumor claiming that he was caught soliciting a prostitute by police.

Shi is the temple's 30th abbot and is known as the "CEO of Shaolin" for his pursuit of commercial development since taking over as abbot a decade ago.

The temple said in a statement posted on its website on Sunday that the rumors were vicious libel that hurt the feelings of Buddhists and tarnished the reputation of both the Shaolin Temple and the abbot.

"Shaolin Temple and Abbot Shi feel deeply sorry for this and reserve the right to take legal action," the online statement said.

"As the rumors are very vicious libel, the temple is forced to publish such a statement," the head of Shaolin Temple Communications Office, Zheng Shumin, was quoted as saying on Tuesday by dahe.cn, based in Henan province, where Shaolin Temple is located. Shi, the 46-year-old abbot, will not respond to the rumors, said Zheng.

Qiang Daliang, general manager of Shaolin Intangible Assets Management Center, said "it will depreciate ourselves if we make too many explanations." If it is time for the abbot to come out, he will, Qiang added.

Zheng also denied the rumor circulating on the Internet, saying that the abbot visited the prostitutes to bless them.

There are more than 170 surveillance cameras installed at Shaolin Temple, making it easy to confirm whether the abbot is inside the temple, said Zheng.

The abbot's schedule is also published on its website and it is available for public viewing, said Zheng. The abbot met with visitors from The Guardian on May 7 and 8, Zheng added.

The abbot does not need to respond, as this is a very extreme case, said Qiang. "Ordinary people with common sense will not question it."

Police in Central China's Henan province said Tuesday that they are investigating the online rumors.

The Buddhist temple, which is a UNESCO world heritage site and the birthplace of kung fu, reported the case to police on Monday and said the rumours are false. I ever tell you about the time I snuck into Shaolin Temple? It's in my book (http://www.amazon.com/Shaolin-Trips-Gene-Ching/dp/1424308976/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1276188031&sr=1-1). That was before the surveillance cameras...

[GeneChing]

According to Google, only Mangalorean.com and MSN India reported this follow up.

Shaolin Temple Abbot Not Arrested (http://news.google.com/news/more?q=shaolin&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&hl=en&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&biw=1440&bih=721&ie=UTF-8&ncl=d2Y10KEBt1hw71MhlMrP4sUEVk3IM&ei=573_TbOQEobTiALlq6DiAg&sa=X&oi=news_result&ct=more-results&resnum=2&ved=0CC8QqgIwAQ)
2011-06-18 21:50:48 Xinhua Web Editor: Yu

Chinese authorities on Saturday said allegation that Shi Yongxin, the current abbot of Shaolin Temple, was arrested for soliciting prostitutes was totally rumor.

The confirmation that disproved Shi's alleged sex scandal from a statement by State Administration for Religious Affairs came after online reports about Shi since May.

"We seriously condemn the rumor since it was not only defamation of Shi himself, but also harmed the image of the famous shrine and even reputation of Chinese Buddhism," the statement said.

The administration asked religous figures, Buddhism believers and the Internet users not to believe and spread the rumor, according to the statement.

[GeneChing]

Shaolin Temple rejects 'vicious lies' about abbot and a mistress (2) (http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90882/7617108.html)
(Shanghai Daily)
10:59, October 14, 2011

The online rumors also alleged that the abbot held at least US$3 billion in overseas accounts and had private villas in the United States and Germany.

They said Shi had been financially supporting a young woman called Li Jingqian, a graduate of Peking University. The rumors said Shi had raised a son with the woman and they were both living in Germany.

According to some Chinese news websites, the rumors had been declared to be true by a German radio station.

Previously, other rumors had been circulating online that Shi had been caught paying for sex in Henan Province during a police raid to crack down on prostitution.

However, the temple responded to say that Shi was "performing a Buddhist service for the prostitute, rather than having sex with her."

Shi, the temple's 30th abbot, was previously mired in controversy for vigorously promoting commercial development of the ancient temple.

He initiated the opening of a Shaolin pharmacy and monks have visited many countries to perform kung fu shows. He also attracted wide public attention when he was spotted in a luxurious SUV car and using an iPad in public.

Even in the CSM...

Rumors of vice rattle China's Shaolin monastery and the home of kung fu (http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Global-News/2011/1014/Rumors-of-vice-rattle-China-s-Shaolin-monastery-and-the-home-of-kung-fu)

Shi Yongxin, abbot of China's Shaolin monastery, where kung fu and Zen Buddhism were born, has been attacked by Internet rumors alleging improper behavior. The abbot has long been a controversial figure in China.

By Peter Ford, Staff writer / October 14, 2011


The abbot of Shaolin monastery, the home of kung fu, is in trouble again, beset by renewed online rumors that he lives a less than pure life.
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The latest rumors spreading on China’s lively and not always reliable Internet accuse the abbot of maintaining a mistress and son in Germany, and of holding huge sums of money in foreign bank accounts.

The monastery issued a statement Thursday denying the stories as “vicious lies woven from nothing but causing great damage to the abbot Shi Yongxin and the Buddhist temple itself.” It gave an email address and phone number for the 1,500 year old monastery, “inviting anyone who has any evidence” of his eminence’s alleged misdeeds “to report directly.”

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Only last May, abbot Shi was shaking off rumors that he had been caught visiting a prostitute during an anti-vice sweep by police in the province of Henan, where the Shaolin temple is located.

Shi, the 30th abbot of the temple where Zen Buddhism was born, has attracted a good deal of criticism in China for the manner in which he has commercialized his shrine. Aside from sending teams of kung fu monks on international tours, Shi - who earned an MBA and is known as “the CEO monk” - has franchised a chain of Shaolin-run monasteries, licensed the Shaolin name to films and cartoon shows and gone into online sales.

He has brushed off criticism of such moves, once telling the official Xinhua news agency that “commercialization…is a path leading up to the truth of Zen.”

[LFJ]

Previously, other rumors had been circulating online that Shi had been caught paying for sex in Henan Province during a police raid to crack down on prostitution.

However, the temple responded to say that Shi was "performing a Buddhist service for the prostitute, rather than having sex with her."

lol

they admit he was caught paying a prostitute for something.

never heard of a buddhist service where the monk pays for it. i think we know who was performing the service.....

[wenshu]

Other sources note that the blessing of the hos angle is itself part of the rumor.

http://news.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Asia/Story/A1Story20110511-278183.html/

Zheng also denied the rumor circulating on the Internet, saying that the abbot visited the prostitutes to bless them.

Falun Gong has never shied from hyperbole in their rumor mongering.
But 3 billion U.S.? Gawd Dahyum, they must be really mad.

Now, let us all pray the pimp's prayer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTwtAJt1JAs

[ShaolinDiva]

Other sources note that the blessing of the hos angle is itself part of the rumor.

http://news.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Asia/Story/A1Story20110511-278183.html/


Falun Gong has never shied from hyperbole in their rumor mongering.
But 3 billion U.S.? Gawd Dahyum, they must be really mad.

Now, let us all pray the pimp's prayer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTwtAJt1JAs


You just crack me up!

[GeneChing]

Shaolin Temple refutes rumors on 'CEO abbot' (http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2011-10/17/content_13917342.htm)
Updated: 2011-10-17 15:00
(chinadaily.com.cn)

A member of China's most famous Buddhist temple claims Internet rumors about its abbot's personal life are a smear campaign because he refused to allow the Shaolin Temple to be listed on the stock market, the Oriental Morning Post reported on Monday.

Hao Jiantong with Shaolin foreign affairs office claims allegations about Shi Yongxin – which include he has a mistress, a child and $3 billion in overseas accounts, may offend stakeholders who wanted to see the 1,500-year-old temple listed on the stock market as a tourist venture.

A report of December 2009 said that "Shaolin Temple would be listed on the markets in 2011" in a joint venture worth 100 million yuan, sparking a fierce response from the temple refusing the deal.

Earlier this year Internet rumors began to appear suggesting Shi had been financially supporting a young woman called Li Jingqian, a graduate of Peking University. It alleged Shi had raised a son with the woman and they were both living in Germany.

Previously, other rumors had been circulating online that Shi had been caught paying for sex in Henan province during a police raid to crack down on prostitution.

Last Thursday the Shaolin Temple published a statement on its website saying the rumors are groundless, "viciously fabricated" slander and invited anyone with information to contact the temple.

The temple claims revenue from entrance tickets adds up to 100 million yuan ($15.4 million) to 200 million yuan and 70 percent of the revenue belongs to the local government.

"We request relevant departments to come to investigate the case and if Shi Yongxin did wrong, it will not be tolerated," Hao said.

Shi was born in 1965 and became abbot of the temple in 1999. He is known as the "CEO monk" because of his tendency to run the temple like a business.


I've got no bad habits (http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?we_cat=11&art_id=116120&sid=34097061&con_type=3&d_str=20111017&fc=10)
Phila Siu
Monday, October 17, 2011

Rumormongers beware. In a rare move, the Shaolin Temple - famed for its warrior monks - has offered a 50,000 yuan (HK$60,960) reward for information on those making sex and money allegations against its leader.

It has been alleged that abbot Shi Yongxin, 46, has a mistress, a child and billions of dollars stashed in overseas bank accounts.

The offer of a reward came after Shi, who became the monastery's 30th abbot in 1999, became embroiled in scandal when netizens, claiming to be Shaolin disciples, alleged that in May he was caught during a police raid against prostitution.

The 1,500-year-old Buddhist temple, nestled in the Songshan mountains of Henan province, last week issued a statement saying the allegations against Shi, 46, were "slander fabricated maliciously."

An internet blog post alleged Shi's mistress is a Peking University graduate surnamed Li. It also claimed they have a child and that both live in Germany.

The post further alleged that the high-profile Shi has several luxury villas in Germany and the United States and US$3 billion (HK$23.4 billion) in bank accounts.

It added Shi also has also had an affair with a celebrity whose identity was not revealed. The post said the information is from a Shaolin "disciple."

Others claim, however, that dark forces are at work. Shaolin scholar Hao Jiantong told mainland media the rumors were a result of Shi's objection to floating the Shaolin Temple on the stock market.

Rumors of such a float began about two years ago though Shi has frequently stressed the temple has no such plans.

"The abbot has taken a huge risk in preventing the flotation [of Shaolin] on the stock market. This may have enraged some people, or some organizations, or the benefits of some departments," Hao said.

The temple said it reported the case to police and will use legal means to find the rumormonger. "The internet rumors have had a terrible effect on the reputation of our abbot Shi Yongxin. It has inflicted tremendous harm on the reputation of Shaolin that past leaders took years to build."

Its statement also includes a phone number and e-mail address for people to provide evidence of the culprit's identity.

Shi's scheduled appearance at a Dharma gathering on Thursday in Dongguan was canceled, disappointing thousands who braved the rain to meet him.

Some netizens defended the abbot but many others poked fun at him.

"What kind of rubbish monk is he, he is just a ***** monk," one netizen said.

Another added: "I thought Shaolin Temple always says that sex only means emptiness? I can be an abbot."

The business-savvy Shi has changed Shaolin's image around the world and revitalized the monastery. He set up Shaolin martial arts schools across the country to admit both Chinese and foreign students.

Shi sent Shaolin monks overseas to perform commercial kung fu shows and even to take part in movies. He reportedly also has an iPad and a cross- country car that cost 800,000 yuan. An article that quotes anonymous netizens as sources? :rolleyes:

I need to learn more about this Shaolin blessing of hos.

[GeneChing]

Shaolin Temple Denounces Rumor of Abbot's Mistress (http://english.cri.cn/6909/2011/10/15/168s662843.htm)
2011-10-15 00:27:46 Xinhua Web Editor: Chudaye

The Shaolin Temple on Thursday said the rumor concerning its abbot's rampant sex life was utterly false and posted a reward for information about the rumormonger's identity.

On a statement posted on its website, the temple denounced the rumor as "malicious libel woven out of nothing."

The rumor accused Shi Yongxin, the 30th abbot of the Buddhist monastery located in central Henan Province, of having a mistress at Peking University and engaging in sexual relations with female celebrities.

"Considering the great damage the rumor has caused to the abbot and the temple, we've reported it to the police and are requesting an investigation to reveal the truth to the public," the statement said.

The temple has also offered 50,000 yuan for any information that leads to finding the rumormonger.

Shi has endured a barrage of attacks after he initiated a highly commercialized operation of the temple, including putting up Kung Fu shows and selling products under its name.

In May, rumors swirled on the Internet that Shi was arrested for soliciting prostitutes in Henan. Religious authorities later dismissed the allegation as false.

Qian Daliang, general manager of a company running Shaolin's intangible assets, said the temple could have ignored the rumor despite its harmful effect.

"But we believed it obligated us to clear the charge after the rumor wrongly implicated innocent celebrities," Qian said.
Let's see now, 50,000 yuan is $7,834.51 at current market rate. Shall we form a KFM Shaolin posse? That's enough cash for a few Shaolin ho blessings. ;)

[LFJ]

Let's see now, 50,000 yuan is $7,834.51 at current market rate. Shall we form a KFM Shaolin posse? That's enough cash for a few Shaolin ho blessings. ;)

lol, count me in!

[Lokhopkuen]

An article that quotes anonymous netizens as sources? :rolleyes:

I need to learn more about this Shaolin blessing of hos.

Apparently the nice expensive car needs to be accessorized:D

[taai gihk yahn]

Zheng also denied the rumor circulating on the Internet, saying that the abbot visited the prostitutes to bless them.

blessings come in many forms (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHqpDSL4tsg)...

[Lokhopkuen]

They're doing the work of the lord inna a Farrarri they can just do it faster:p

[Shaolin Wookie]

An article that quotes anonymous netizens as sources? :rolleyes:

I need to learn more about this Shaolin blessing of hos.

LOL....it wasn't the abbot. It was the CRAZY CORRUPT CAPITALISTS who wanted to list Shaolin on the stock market!!!!

LOL...gotta love the reporting. Why would anybody invest in a Shaolin temple with heavy govt. intervention? There's no security.

[Shaolin Wookie]

Who cares about his sex life? So what if he had prostitutes and whatnot?

Haven't centuries of sexual repression in religious monasteries taught us nothing? It isn't hypocrisy. It's just human nature.

[wenshu]

I'm snitching Wenshu and getting that paper


http://img847.imageshack.us/img847/8330/stoprp.jpg

[Lokhopkuen]

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ATVp0Y-su30/TdB4-OxlfGI/AAAAAAAAEAU/USKZBjlEbi8/s1600/DSC00067.JPG
Soon my special training will end and then I'm coming for you:D

[Lokhopkuen]

Who cares about his sex life? So what if he had prostitutes and whatnot?

Haven't centuries of sexual repression in religious monasteries taught us nothing? It isn't hypocrisy. It's just human nature.

He needs alter boy:rolleyes:

[taai gihk yahn]

He needs alter boy:rolleyes:

wrong dogma...;)

[David Jamieson]

That's a lot of money to offer for information leading to someone who is simply not telling the truth.

why not just deny it? Refute it and force the onus onto the accuser to make good with the proof?

Weird idea of rule of law in China. Not quite getting it.

[wenshu]

Soon my special training will end and then I'm coming for you:D


http://www.gifsoup.com/webroot/animatedgifs2/1580018_o.gif

[GeneChing]

Weird idea of rule of law in China. Not quite getting it.

Remember my post on the How could this happen? thread (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1138738#post1138738). I still say we gotta form a Shaolin posse.

[Shaolin Wookie]

I still don't get it Gene. Are you agreeing that China, "in its drive to get rich," is losing its moral bearing? They aren't getting "rich" in a legitimate way. they're playing the currency manipulation game, much like the US and the EURO bloc. They're getting poorer in real terms b/c their governments are preying on the economy, even if nominal increases in GDP (an irrelevant statistic) get reported.

Wherever the market is granted more liberty (as in the US, which still doesn't have a free market), morality has had the greatest increases on a society-wide scale. Like Adam Smith argued, morality increases whenever we are granted hte freedom to fulfill our self-interests, because then we are not at each others' throats, or only concerned with ourselves (b/c it is easy to fulfill our own interests in a free society, we don't view all others as enemies).

Think about it. Would 20 passerby do the same thing on most American streets? Probably not.

In Soviet Russia? Very likely. In North Korea? Very likely.

China is making a bid for fascism, but it's still not a "market" in any sense of the term.

[RenDaHai]

Moral and ethical conditioning needs generations to appear.

Its something you learn from your family and social environment. So if your social environment growing up was red guards destroying nature and all elements of culture, then you are probably going to turn out deficient in some way (probably by no means certainly).

China is accelerating super fast on the economic ladder, but that is not going to effect the upbringing of the current generation of adults, they are already 'up-brought'.

The people who drive cars in China today grew up in a china with almost no cars so its not surprising the driving is atrocious bordering on evil.

SO what I mean is the effect of Money on the actual ethic and moral fabric of society will take several generations to appear.

There can be an iphone in every Chinamans pocket and a McDonalds on every corner but it will still take generations to change the attitude of the average person.

[GeneChing]

I still don't get it Gene. Are you agreeing that China, "in its drive to get rich," is losing its moral bearing? I write plenty of my own material that's opinionated. Please don't ascribe my agreement or disagreement with the news articles that I post. I read web newsfeeds every working morning, scanning for interesting and relevant news pertaining to martial arts. I post it here on the forum for several reasons. For one, it's newsworthy enough for someone to report it and I like to encourage coverage, so it's a way of assisting the viral spread. Another reason is I envision the forum to be a place to discuss current events. My biggest reason is that I'm building an news archive - the forum is a searchable database now of martial news events over the past several years. There's quite a lot of history stored here now, so much that esoteric web searches will bring up our forum archive - and that's something I'm really looking for because with a commercially-supported (http://www.martialartsmart.com/) forum, it's all about the eyeballs.

As for China's present economic strategy, seriously now Shaolin Wookie, if I had an decent answer to that, would I be working here? :rolleyes: I'm still observing the situation. ;)

[GeneChing]

This isn't that scandalous really. It's more about the Chinese netizen reaction.

Moment of Neti-zen: April 18 (http://www.globaltimes.cn/NEWS/tabid/99/ID/775615/Moment-of-Neti-zen-April-18.aspx)
Global Times | April 17, 2013 20:23
By Global Times

Editor's Note:

Are you up on what the hundreds of millions of Chinese netizens are talking about? Take a moment and get the rundown of what's hot, what's trending, and what's drawing the most buzz on the Chinese blogosphere.


Abbot at large

Shi Yongxin, the abbot of Shaolin Temple in Central China's Henan Province, is now an honorary dean at the Shaolin culture research institute at Zhengzhou University in Henan, the Nandu Daily reported Wednesday.

Han Guohe, the dean of the institute, told the newspaper that Shi has no administrative role and he is there to promote the culture of Central China.

The devout Buddhist has been criticized for his high profile. In addition to being a vice president of the Buddhist Association of China, he is a deputy of the 12th National People's Congress. He has also opened several overseas culture centers and is involved in projects that commercially promote Shaolin culture.

News of Shi's appointment got mixed reactions online.

Some Web users said he should stick to spirituality.

"Shi should be reciting scriptures instead of intervening in social affairs, " Dengguanshuogushi said.

Some netizens said Shi will make the public lose trust in Buddhism.

"A monk who tries to win fame betrays the principles of Buddhism regarding inner peace," Sno-opy said.

Some said people should not be so quick to criticize Shi.

"We should empathize with him. Society is commercialized and full of temptations. His choice is quite normal," commented Xiexiaojoy.

Others admire the abbot.

"I can't judge whether it's suitable for Shi to work in culture-related areas, but his talent in marketing shows that he is competent to be the dean of a business school," Chongcisi***aohui said.

"As a monk, Shi is very successful. But it's impossible for him to approach enlightenment," Hongchendubai said.

[GeneChing]

...but given the recent discourses here, I just gotta toss this into the mix and ttt this thread. ;)


Believer in reincarnation also believes in 'lots of aliens' (http://shanghaiist.com/2013/06/12/shaolin_temple_abbot_says_buddhists_believe_in_lot s_of_aliens.php)

http://shanghaiist.com/attachments/jamesgriffiths/abbot-shi.jpg

The leader of the Shaolin Temple, Abbot Shi Yongxin, told a meeting of Buddhists that he believes in the existence of "lots of aliens", according to the Southern Metro Daily (http://ndnews.oeeee.com/html/201306/11/71096.html).

According to the abbot: "Buddhists believe in the existence of multiple universes, and thus we believe there are many aliens."

Shi's comments were made in the same week as electricity-sensitive, rather clumsy aliens invaded a Shandong man's freezer.

[Image credit: Southern Metro Daily // Via: Amy Li]

[mengfei]

Abbot Shi Yongxin and Li Hongzhi I think how they regard each other? If they even know?

[Kymus]

...but given the recent discourses here, I just gotta toss this into the mix and ttt this thread. ;)

HSK is gonna love this..

[LFJ]

Ha, I don't think he actually means "aliens" in that sense. I'd like to know what word he used though.

[GeneChing]

Maybe the aliens put them there.

Hidden cameras found in abbot's bedroom (http://www.shanghaidaily.com/nsp/National/2013/07/15/Hidden%2Bcameras%2Bfound%2Bin%2Babbots%2Bbedroom/)
By Zhao Wen | 2013-7-15 | NEWSPAPER EDITION
The story appears on Page A2
Jul 15, 2013

SURVEILLANCE cameras have been found in the abbot's room at Shaolin Temple, with one pointed at the abbot's bed.

An employee told yesterday's Economic Observer they were discovered during renovation work.

It's not known who installed the cameras but the employee believed there could be a link with disputes over the temple's growing popularity as a tourist attraction.

The temple in Dengfeng City in central China's Henan Province is renowned as the birthplace of kung fu.

Whenever there are disputes between the temple and other parties, rumors fly, the report said.

In 2011, it was said that Abbot Shi Yongxin had a mistress who was a student at Peking University and that he had US$3 billion deposited overseas. The mistress and an illegitimate son were said to be living in Germany.

A temple spokesman said later the rumor was not worth responding to.

It had spread after a city government bid to demolish a temple courtyard to build a hotel was foiled shortly before demolition started.

The lion's share of profits evolving from Shaolin Temple go to the local government, the report said.

Monks protested

Ticket sales alone amount to about 150 million yuan (US$24.4 million) a year, with the government taking 70 percent.

Sometimes the government delayed giving the temple its share, and Shaolin monks protested about that at the government offices. However, the temple was accused of being "too commercialized." Officials were reported to have said: "What's the use of so much money for you monks that should do no more than reciting your sutras?"

There was also a rumor that the temple was going to list on the stock market, something Shi has denied many times.

Shi is also said to have displeased the city government by taking center stage in group photographs with important visitors. Upset officials are said to have complained that Shi "didn't have the sense of ceremonial rules."

When gifts were presented to visiting officials, Shi waited for them to come forward. But some officials believe Shi should come forward to present the gifts in a respectful way, the report said.

When Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the temple in March 2006, a provincial government official tried to put his seat at the same level with Shi, who was receiving Putin, but was stopped by one of Putin's bodyguards.

There are many people keen to cash in on the fame of the temple, the report said. Some companies registered trademarks including the word "Shaolin," for example, and various competitions such as a "Kung Fu Star" contest and a beauty contest were held near the temple. Kung fu training schools named after the temple were also being established.

The report said there had been many disputes since the Dengfeng government got together with China National Travel Service (HK) three years ago to develop the temple into a tourist destination.

To attract more investment, the local government gave up its controlling stake in the scenic area of the temple to the travel service at a low price. In return, the travel service was to invest in construction projects while expanding tourism.

However, over the past three years it had made huge profits from the temple's tourism industry but hadn't invested in any projects, the report said.

[Orion Paximus]

Man, how about putting someone in charge who, I don't know, follows the friggen Dharma?

[DamoY2K]

Man, how about putting someone in charge who, I don't know, follows the friggen Dharma?

There was meant to be someone, but I heard he was put in jail for a week when Yongxin got elected back in the '90s. Also I believe Yongxin changed the rules so that there are no abbot elections every few years anymore, it's a kind of permanent position...

Anyway he's also done lots of good things for / in Shaolin so it's not all "bad" ... credit must be given too.

[mawali]

Even abbots need a rice bowl, but it has to be bigger than the acolytes!
What fun is that when your bowl is smaller than the neophyte and you are the abbot? :D

[Xian]

Even abbots need a rice bowl, but it has to be bigger than the acolytes!
What fun is that when your bowl is smaller than the neophyte and you are the abbot? :D

Then we might should hope that the story of the 18 Buddhist hells was just made up and the commandments for monks was just to annoy them...Otherwise...



Best regards,
Xian

[wenshu]

Then we might should hope that the story of the 18 Buddhist hells was just made up and the commandments for monks was just to annoy them.

It was and they were.

[GeneChing]

...is that no incriminating footage was captured. If there was a hidden camera focused on your bed, would they have filmed anything you wouldn't want shown? :p

Or maybe my original theory was right - that it was aliens.

[GeneChing]

...in Spain, no less...

Shaolin Temple denies abbot sex scandal (http://www.china.org.cn/china/2013-08/15/content_29726780.htm)
China.org.cn, August 15, 2013

http://images.china.cn/attachement/png/site1007/20130815/001aa0ba3c6a1376a2df01.png
A newspaper in Spain claimes Shi Yongxin has a mistress.[China Daily]

The Henan Shaolin Temple has denied its abbot Shi Yongxin is embroiled in a sex scandal.

A newspaper in Spain claimed the 48-year-old high-profile abbot has a mistress who is a college student in Beijing, a son in Germany and an overseas bank account containing $3 billion.

The Shaolin Temple, one of the most famous Mahayana Buddhist monasteries in China, was built in the fifth century and has became a symbol of Chinese kung fu.

Shi Yongxin, originally named Liu Yingcheng, was born into a family in Yingshang, Anhui Province in 1965.

To bring Shaolin culture to the worldwide Shaolin enthusiasts, Shi has promoted various Buddhist activities and engaged in domestic and foreign cultural exchanges.

[GeneChing]

Are there any Spaniards here that might have access to the original article and can post it here?

Shaolin Temple denies scandal (http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/804276.shtml#.Ug5HeMosasI)
Global Times | 2013-8-16 0:28:01
By Hu Qingyun

The Shaolin Temple in Central China's Henan Province on Thursday refuted a rumor that its abbot is embroiled in a sex scandal and has $3 billion in his overseas bank account, as a response to a Spanish newspaper report that has been circulating online for the past few days.

The Spanish Newspaper, El Periodico, reported on July 21 that the abbot has a mistress who is a university student in Beijing and a son living in Germany. The report also claimed that the temple has admitted that they have supported the woman financially.

"It's absolutely ridiculous to say that our abbot is in a romantic relationship with a woman, or that he has children. It is not only offensive to the abbot but also to other monks like me. We have never heard of that foreign newspaper and have never been interviewed by that reporter," Yankong, a monk from the temple, told the Global Times, adding that some 300 monks in the temple can testify as witnesses for the abbot.

Yankong said that he was shocked when hearing the news as he claimed that the abbot follows Buddhist discipline with other monks in the temple, rarely leaving the temple to travel to other places.

The abbot, Shi Yongxin, 48, has helped introduce the culture of the Shaolin Temple, a symbol of Chinese kung fu, to the world and brought in great economic revenue through tourism.

Yangkong said the abbot has also heard about the report. "He thought the report was quite funny because it made no sense."

Phone calls to the Spanish newspaper El Periodico went unanswered on Thursday.

A staff member from the temple's office, surnamed Zhang, said the report was based on rumors which may be spread by some "powerful people," whose interests were hurt by the abbot as he refused to let the temple go to initial public offering, a Chengdu-based news portal news.chengdu.cn reported on Wednesday.

Yankong confirmed Zhang's comment but declined to say who the "powerful people" were.

This is not the first time that the abbot has been caught up in such rumors.

Media reports in July said several surveillance cameras had been secretly installed in the abbot's bedroom, so the people who installed them could use what they recorded as leverage against the abbot. In 2011, the abbot was even said to have been caught soliciting a prostitute during a police raid in Henan. Both events were proven to be untrue.

Such rumors have often gone hand-in-hand with commercial disputes surrounding the temple and the delayed wages of workers and monks, media reported previously.

Zhang told the news portal that the temple hasn't ruled out the possibility of reporting the matter to police.

[Egg fu young]

This has probably been posted already but I’m too lazy to search for it.


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2398293/Scandal-world-famous-Shaolin-monastery-controversial-abbot-accused-fathering-illegitimate-son-hiding-2billion-secret-bank-account.html


The Shaolin Monastery has become one of the world's most famous Buddhist temples, thanks to the brand of kung fu which bears its name and has been exported all around the world.

However, the increased profile of the monastery has brought a series of scandals which critics claim have undermined the institution's reputation as a religious haven.

Abbot Shi Yongxin is even rumoured to have visited prostitutes, stashed away money and fathered an illegitimate child.

[Hebrew Hammer]

Thank God! You think its easy being an Abbot?! He was only trying to show those misguided professionals the path to enlightenment. And I do believe its been posted.

[Drake]

HEEEEEEY ABBOOOOOOOTT!

Couldn't help myself

[GeneChing]

UK's Daily Mail is an amusing platform however.

Scandal at world-famous Shaolin monastery as controversial abbot is accused of fathering illegitimate son and hiding £2billion in secret bank account (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2398293/Scandal-world-famous-Shaolin-monastery-controversial-abbot-accused-fathering-illegitimate-son-hiding-2billion-secret-bank-account.html)

Shi Yongxin transformed ancient Chinese monastery into global business
Buddhist temple makes millions from kung-fu shows and publications
But the abbot is accused of consorting with prostitutes and hiding money

By Daily Mail Reporter
PUBLISHED: 11:04 EST, 20 August 2013 | UPDATED: 13:03 EST, 20 August 2013

The Shaolin Monastery has become one of the world's most famous Buddhist temples, thanks to the brand of kung fu which bears its name and has been exported all around the world.

However, the increased profile of the monastery has brought a series of scandals which critics claim have undermined the institution's reputation as a religious haven.

Abbot Shi Yongxin is even rumoured to have visited prostitutes, stashed away money and fathered an illegitimate child.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/08/20/article-2398293-006A4CFB00000258-64_634x389.jpg
Famous: Shaolin monks have become known around the world for their kung-fu skills

Shaolin Monastery, situated in Henan province in central China, was founded in the fifth century and has long been famed for its distinctive brand of kung fu.

However, it was not until 48-year-old Shi - dubbed the 'Kung Fu CEO' - took over at the monastery in 1999 that the institution grew into a world-wide phenomenon, according to Buzzfeed.

Shaolin monks now go on global tours showing off their martial arts skills - including taking part in boxing matches against the U.S. Marines in Las Vegas.

The monastery draws in so much revenue that a few years ago it contemplated an £85million IPO which would transform it into a public company listed on the Hong Kong or Shanghai stock market.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/08/20/article-2398293-0D1E68B200000578-755_634x391.jpg
Tranquil: The monastery dates back to the fifth century and has a venerable history before its modern transformation

It makes more than £15million a year from selling tickets for tours of the site, with entrance costing 100 yuan (£10).

In addition, the Shaolin Monastery has opened a number of daughter temples in the U.S. and Venezuela in a bid to export its trademark kung fu fighting style.

The new corporate atmosphere surrounding the venerable Buddhist institution has drawn accusations that its monks have forgotten their spiritual mission.

A few years ago, Chinese web users gleefully shared images contrasting the extravagance of Shaolin monks with the austere Dabei monastery, whose residents wear drab clothes and refuse all offers of money from visitors.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/08/20/article-2398293-0DB42D5200000578-25_634x407.jpg
Hollywood: Monks pose with Rowan Atkinson at the premiere of his film hit Johnny English Reborn

In 2011, Shi hit the headlines when it was claimed that he had been caught soliciting a prositute.

The monastery denied that he had paid the woman for sex, and said that he was carrying out religious rites in a brothel at the time of a police raid.

Worse news for the institution came this year, when it emerged that cameras had been hidden in the walls of the monastery and aimed at the sleeping quarters of female residents.

Earlier this month, a Spanish newspaper reported that Shi - the first Buddhist monk to hold an MBA - had stashed £2billion in secret bank accounts.

Even more scandalously, he was said to have fathered an illegitimate son with a young Chinese woman studying in Germany.

Temple officials have denied any wrongdoing, claiming that the stories were rumours fabricated by 'powerful people' angry about the failure of the IPO.




NOTE: I just found Efy's post above on the OT forum and merged it into this one. I'll keep my post here up as it preserves the article.

This has probably been posted already but I’m too lazy to search for it.

[Shaolinlueb]

fathered a child? ****. Gene you knew the abbot, did you see this coming?

[GeneChing]

I anticipate meeting with him again next month at the 1st American Shaolin Festival (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=65650).

As for the illegitimate child rumor, I have yet to meet that child or see any evidence of this beyond rumors. My question with that is 'why Germany?' While some of the criticism leveled at the Abbot is valid, he has a lot of detractors so some is clearly B.S.

[Alex Córdoba]

Are there any Spaniards here that might have access to the original article and can post it here?

Yes, I'll come back later when I have more information.

By the way, In the image you posted before you can read the title: "the encripted files of the Bilbao's fake 'shaolin'. Juan Carlos Aguilar

http://images.china.cn/attachement/png/site1007/20130815/001aa0ba3c6a1376a2df01.png

[Alex Córdoba]

Here it is, in Spanish thou:

http://archivo.elperiodico.com/ed/20130721/pag_038.html

[GeneChing]

Shaolin Temple Rakes In Cash and Controversy (http://www.chinauncensored.com/index.php/kaleidoscope/64-chinas-famous-shaolin-temple-rakes-in-cash-and-controversy)
Rena Gregory

"An enchanting place, home of the warriors," promises the pop music blaring from a giant screen as excited visitors board buggies fit for a theme park.

Welcome to the Shaolin Temple in central China, known as the birthplace of Zen Buddhism and world-famous for its kungfu. Instead of inspiring awe and mysticism as it had once done for centuries, the present venue is managed more along the lines of a Hollywood theme park.

It prompted one European visitor to comment, "The first time I came here, I thought the taxi driver had made a mistake. I thought I'd see a monastery deep in the forest, and I was very disappointed."

As a well known sage once said, "monks in temples can no longer save themselves, let alone saving others." Well, the report above confirms this comment.

The Shaolin Temple was established in 495 AD, according to legend, by Boddhidharma. The monastery has been destroyed and rebuilt several times over the centuries. A warlord attacked the temple in 1928, which burned for 45 days, destroying many of the buildings, books and records.

During the days of the Cultural Revolution when religion was banned, many adjacent building, statues and relics were demolished. Since then, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has orchestrated schemes to allow certain religious practices to run as a show; and it is also designed to placate a nation which had deep rooted traditions in faith and morality, which was suddenly replaced by an anti-faith, pro-violence, atheist regime.

The temple makes millions every year from entrance fees, online sales of Shaolin items such as nunchakus, spearheads, fans and clothing, and its travelling performing troupes. This temple drew 1.6 million people last year who paid 100 yuan (15 dollars) to pass through its Disneyland-style turnstiles in Henan province, watch a half-hour kungfu show and take photos with performers for another 20 yuan. It is nothing but a huge commercial enterprise, and the Abbott possesses a Mercedes, high quality lap tops, female personal assistants and 'friends'.

The venue's notoriety has been a boon to the neighbouring area, attracting more than 80 mostly private kungfu schools where more than 60,000 people train to be like the monastery's 200 warrior-monks. But why are they training? Certainly not to become virtuous, altruistic people, attempting to raise their morality - instead, training to make money from rituals visitors want to have performed.

A 24-year-old Henan province visitor recently found the temple more rowdy than she would have expected from the epicentre of Zen Buddhism, but the commercial aspect did not dampen her enjoyment. It prompted her to comment, "When tourists come here, there are so many people that don't feel it's that calm, but I like it."
CEO of Shaolin

http://www.chinauncensored.com/images/stories/Historyculture/30-03-2010%2010-43-45%20pm.jpg
http://www.chinauncensored.com/images/stories/Historyculture/30-03-2010%2011-38-46%20pm.jpg
Screenshots: Shi Yongxin was interviewed by journalists.

The temple's money-making success may be largely attributed to Abbot Shi Yongxin, who took charge in 1999, but temple monks revealed that some money making decisions were made by Shi Yongxin's lover, Liu Dandan, who is 20 years younger then Shi and lived in the Shaolin temple from 2002 to 2004. Shi Yongxin was busy traveling for his business pursuits,and while he was overseas in 2004, Liu fell in love with Shi's nephew, Feng who also lived in the temple. Liu left the temple after this. It was Liu Dandan who initiated selling one incense stick for 3888 yuan.

Shi Yongxin is repeatedly criticized for his perceived pursuit of money, his cunning character and his sinister past in getting him to the position of Abbot. This prompted a computer hacker to replace the Shaolin website's front page with a mock letter of remorse in Shi's name. The post accused him of commercializing the 1,500-year-old temple.

Shi retorted: "I'm not a businessman. I don't hold shares." He sat for an interview wearing a yellow robe in one of the temple's halls. He defended Shaolin's commercial ventures, which he refused to describe as businesses, but rather as ways "of raising the temple's profile."

"Believers have demands, and we must satisfy and serve them to the best of our ability -- it's a service that provides faith products."

http://www.chinauncensored.com/images/stories/Historyculture/30-03-2010%2011-37-53%20pm.jpg
Screenshot: Why is it always female journalists interviewing Shi?--- the comment at bottom of photo
Bikini contest

Parts of a reality TV contest show scenes were shot here in 2006, to find a new kungfu star, with a bikini fashion show! Gene Ching, the US-based publisher of Kung Fu Tai Chi - a periodical devoted to Chinese martial arts - and a former student at Shaolin, defended Shi, saying the Abbot was moving with the times.

Can you imagine St. Peter's Basilica in Rome holding a bikini contest? According to Ching, things were even more bizarre at one time at this once sacred temple - the grounds of Shaolin were full of tourist "atttractions," such as a terracotta Buddha with a house of horrors inside, a roller skating rink, video game arcades and karaoke bars, adding "it was more like a surreal circus carnival." I think this author is missing the point of my 'surreal circus carnival' comment. That was prior to the Abbot. He cleaned that up, which is a point to his favor given the stance of this reporter. Personally, I miss that ol' Shaolin village, but it was quite an eyesore and had to go.

[ShaolinDan]

Wow. That was a horrific piece of journalism there. :eek:

Actually, compared to other major tourist attractions I saw in China, Shaolin was pretty toned down and also relatively inexpensive to enter.

[Napitenkah]

I would say the state that the Shaolin Temple reflects today, is the result of destructions and pressures from the western society, past and present.
The collective will seldom embrace it's own reflection.
This situation is most likely similar to native american history.
Briefly; Natives were hoarded up onto reservations where they could not survive as they had done, but were forced to receive government supplies, at whim. Sent to schools where they were punished for speaking their language or practicing their culture. Since they could not live as they had, they had to come up with a way to survive as indigenous to the government as possible and still be able to get the resources beyond the pathetic government supplies. Casinos. But by then the western society had built up this idea of the native being in tune with nature and spirituality, very noble and UN-materialistic. They saw the casinos and thought, they have given up their heritage or sold out their culture for material greed.
In different ways, I suspect the Shaolin culture has experienced a similar timeline of events. Definitely, that idea built up of what a Shaolin Monk is and how they should act and behave.
What I don't agree with is people from the western society having a judgement of it, for or against.
As in; it is okay that he got a sedan, or it isn't okay.
I don't see a lot of Shaolin principles reflected in the communications on these forums. So it is on the outside.

[MarathonTmatt]

I would say the state that the Shaolin Temple reflects today, is the result of destructions and pressures from the western society, past and present.
The collective will seldom embrace it's own reflection.
This situation is most likely similar to native american history.
Briefly; Natives were hoarded up onto reservations where they could not survive as they had done, but were forced to receive government supplies, at whim. Sent to schools where they were punished for speaking their language or practicing their culture. Since they could not live as they had, they had to come up with a way to survive as indigenous to the government as possible and still be able to get the resources beyond the pathetic government supplies. Casinos. But by then the western society had built up this idea of the native being in tune with nature and spirituality, very noble and UN-materialistic. They saw the casinos and thought, they have given up their heritage or sold out their culture for material greed.
In different ways, I suspect the Shaolin culture has experienced a similar timeline of events. Definitely, that idea built up of what a Shaolin Monk is and how they should act and behave.
What I don't agree with is people from the western society having a judgement of it, for or against.
As in; it is okay that he got a sedan, or it isn't okay.
I don't see a lot of Shaolin principles reflected in the communications on these forums. So it is on the outside.

I would add to your point that a big issue concerning gaming casinos in Indian Country is Sovereignty rights. Each NDN Nation (First Nations, Native Nations,) is actually a sovereign nation unto itself, and should have the ability to take care of it's own, and should actually deal with the government in dealings as a sovereign nation, and not as a subject to the government. However, due to things such as forced removal of lands and indigenous customs, many have assimilated. Therefore, some nations (tribal governments) petition the federal government for federal recognition, if they do not already have this status.

It is only the percent of tribes who have this federally recognized status who can open up casinos. For example, many nations are recognized by the state, and have dealings with the state but are not on this federally recognized status. Not all Indian people have casinos. When Foxwoods opened up in Connecticut, and the Mashantucket Pequot gained federal recognition in the 1980's, one of their jobs from the Pequot Council's perspective was to also help out other nations of people in this area who did not have the same status. They also host a 3 day powwow at the end of august each year for the green corn ceremony (harvest.)

Casino gaming is a big issue, and most people have their own opinions on a personal basis. I say, if you can have the benefits from a casino, good for you. But there is greed in some places, with tribal members being kicked out so fewer people can hoard more money. Some people would say we don't need any federal recognition, we know who we are anyway. In other cases, it provides a balance against extreme poverty conditions, suicide rates, and can even counter-balance loss of culture. But like I was saying, the issue is a Sovereignty Rights issue, and casinos (making money) is a great tool to counter-balance.

[GeneChing]

I don't see a lot of Shaolin principles reflected in the communications on these forums. Apart from the fact that I am a disciple of Shaolin Temple, there is no connection. And about my discipleship slanting my perspectice, well, I started this thread. ;)

[GeneChing]

Online tabloids take online rumors way too seriously. And so much of Chinese news is propagandist and tabloid. But these things do blow up sometimes.


Shaolin Temple fights online rumors (http://www.ecns.cn/2015/07-27/174647.shtml)
2015-07-27 15:24China.org.cn Editor: Li Yan

http://www.ecns.cn/2015/07-27/U542P886T1D174647F12DT20150727152410.jpg
Shi Yongxin, Shaolin Temple's abbot (File photo)

Shaolin Temple yesterday rejected online rumors criticizing its abbot for his turbulent personal life.

Since July 25, an online post entitled "Who will supervise the case of Shi Yongxin, the 'big tiger?'" has been spread widely. In the gossip, a so-called Shaolin disciple named Shi Zhengyi reported that the Shaolin Temple Abbot Shi Yongxin has a turbulent personal life and seized the temple's property.

On the evening of July 26, Shaolin Temple posted a statement on its website saying that the recent online rumors about Abbot Shi were vicious, groundless libel.

Shaolin Temple also claimed that the rumor had tarnished the reputation of both the Shaolin Temple and the abbot himself, and they have already asked local police to investigate the incident.

In recent years, online rumors about the Shaolin Temple Abbot Shi Yongxin have appeared frequently. Shaolin Temple has released several statements rejecting the allegations.

In early May 2010, a widespread online rumor claimed that local reporters witnessed the arrest of Abbot Shi as he visited prostitutes during a police crackdown on prostitution.

[GeneChing]

Honestly, don't the police have better things to do than catch web trolls? :rolleyes:


Shaolin Temple complains to police about online accusation (http://news.asiaone.com/news/asia/shaolin-temple-complains-police-about-online-accusation)

http://news.asiaone.com/sites/default/files/styles/w641/public/original_images/Jul2015/28072015_ShiYongxinshaolin_chinadaily_0.jpg?itok=c LH7FBuG
Shi Yongxin, the abbot of Shaolin Temple who has been the subject of an online attack.
Photo: China Daily/ANN

Shaolin Temple in Henan province has condemned an online attack against its abbot last week as slander and has turned to the police for help.

Targeted by salacious accusations in the past that the police confirmed to be false, the abbot, Shi Yongxin, 50, has now been accused of paying for sex with several women, including Buddhist nuns and some of his female followers.

The accuser, using the name Shi Zhengyi and claiming to be a disciple of the temple, posted an article last week that created an uproar on the Internet, beginning on Saturday.

But a staff member at the temple's website, who asked not to be named, said there is no disciple by that name.

"This is absurd," the staff member said. "Someone must have an ulterior motive."

"Such rumours have come up before, and the allegations have seriously affected the abbot's reputation. So this time the temple chose to report it to the police," he said.

The abbot was quoted by Southern Metropolis Daily as saying that he would not be defending himself against the allegations.

[Oso]

http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/29/china/china-shaolin-monk-corruption-jiang/index.html

[sha0lin1]

Nothing new here, these same accusations seem to be made every couple of years or so.

[ShaolinDiva]

but.... previous rumors never made CNN! or did a police investigation follow those rumors. Its sorta a different spin this time it seems.

[sha0lin1]

Yeah, but they are the same rumors. So CNN did a little blurb on their website about it, no big deal, it never made the 24 hour T.V. news cycle. Like I said, every two or three years these same exact rumors surface. Let them investigate and we will see if there is any truth to it. If the anonymous person in question has any evidence, he should lay it out there.

[@PLUGO]

No-show by China's Shaolin abbot in Bangkok fuels rumors of investigation (http://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/1845926/no-show-chinas-shaolin-abbot-bangkok-fuels-rumours-investigation)



Reports quote temple official confirming and then denying that Shi Yongxin is under investigation amid questions over his integrity
by Alice Yan

The failure of China's controversial Shaolin Temple abbot to make a planned appearance in Thailand on the weekend prompted some Chinese media to speculate that he was under investigation.

Abbot Shi Yongxin was due to head a delegation to a martial arts exhibition roughly two weeks after a person claiming to be a former disciple made allegations about the abbot's integrity.

The Bangkok event is part of celebrations to mark the 40th anniversary of Sino-Thai diplomatic relations and the birthdays of the Thai queen and princess.

China News Service reported that the exhibition's organisers were rushing to delete images of Shi from a video that was to be broadcast at the event on Sunday afternoon.

An official from the Thai Young Chinese Chamber of Commerce said members had to alter the footage because Shi did not arrive in Bangkok on Saturday as scheduled.

"We have been planning this event for a few months, and were told Shi Yongxin could not attend the event on August 1 and that we needed to edit the video," chamber general manager Huang Cheng was quoted as saying.

Quoting Qian Daliang, the general manager of a company overseeing marketing and business development for the 1,500-year-old temple, The Beijing News reported that Shi did not go to Thailand because he was being questioned by the religious affairs authorities in Dengfeng, Henan province.

But the website of the Global Times newspaper later countered, quoting Qian as saying The Beijing News report was not true and Shi was not being investigated.

Shi became the abbot of the Shaolin Temple in 1999 and is no stranger to controversy.

He frequently makes headlines, with most of his critics accusing him of turning the temple, known as one of the earliest centres of Zen Buddhism and Chinese martial arts, into a cash cow.

With a master's degree in business administration, Shi regularly makes references to "globalisation" and has promoted a strategy of opening institutions overseas and investing abroad. He most recently came under fire last week after an alleged former disciple using the pseudonym "Shi Zhengyi" claimed that Shi Yongxin was kicked out of the temple in the late 1980s, held double identities, had sexual relations with several women and even fathered their children.

The allegations drew intense interest online and in state media, prompting the religious affairs administration to order its bureau in central Henan province, where the temple is located, to look into the matter.

In a statement on its website last week, the temple denied all of the accusations, describing them as "groundless, vicious and libellous". It had reported the matter to police, it added.

The Buddhist Association of China said the matter "had affected the image and reputation of Chinese Buddhism".

[GeneChing]

...how ironic.


Has China's anti-graft campaign reached Shaolin's Kung Fu temple? (http://fortune.com/2015/08/04/shaolin-temple-kung-fu-shi-yongxin-investigation-graft-fraud-embezzlement-sex-prostitutes-mistresses-children/)
by Geoffrey Smith
@Geoffreytsmith

August 4, 2015, 11:33 AM EDT

https://fortunedotcom.files.wordpress.com/2015/08/gettyimages-174599137.jpg?quality=80&w=840&h=485&crop=1

Local authorities confirm they’re investigating sex and fraud claims as the “CEO Monk” who aggressively pushed the temple’s brand disappears from public view.

Has the iPhone-touting, laptop-savvy MBA grad who runs the ‘Kung Fu’ temple at Shaolin become the latest victim of China’s anti-corruption drive?

Speculation over the fate of Shi Yongxin, who has turned China’s most famous temple into a multi-million dollar brand in his 16 years as abbot, has intensified since he failed to make a scheduled appearance at an international meeting of Buddhists in Thailand, according to The Financial Times.

The “CEO Monk” has disappeared from public view after a week in which he was denounced online (albeit anonymously) for having children by prostitutes and embezzling monastery funds. A one-sentence statement released Monday by the authorities of the city of Denfeng, near Shaolin, confirmed it was investigating the allegations, saying: “Our bureau takes this extremely seriously and will swiftly clarify…and ensure a correct understanding of the matter.”

It could be a sticky end for the monk who has angered some in China by his ruthless commercialization of Shaolin, the birthplace of Chinese martial arts and Zen Buddhism, by renting it out for reality TV shows and computer games among other things. Shi is on the verge of what would be a crowning achievement for internationalizing the brand: the construction of a $400 million Kung Fu theme park in New South Wales, Australia (naturally including a hotel and golf course).

An open letter published under the name ‘Shi Zhengyi’ last week accused the abbot of living the kind of dissolute double life that has become distinctly unfashionable under President Xi Jinping. The author is thought to be a disaffected former disciple of Shaolin, but the name is most likely a pseudonym since it translates (according to CNN) as ‘interpreting justice’.

The letter, headed–“Who is to inspect this Big Tiger?”–consciously channeled Xi’s promise to go after both ‘flies and tigers’ in cleaning up China’s leadership. Shi is perhaps an unlikely target for action by state agencies, which have focused so far on corrupt Communist Party officials like former Chongqing governor Bo Xilai. However, the abbot is also member of China’s rubber-stamp legislature, the National People’s Congress. He’s also a vice-chairman of the state-backed national Buddhist association, which collaborates with the State Administration for Religious Affairs in monitoring all of China’s recognized religions. And 16 years as abbot makes him part of the Establishment, whichever way you cut it.

‘Shi Zhengyi”s letter, which went viral across China, accused Shi of having been expelled from the monastery in the past for the distinctly non-Zen practice of fiddling his expenses (what would Blind Master Po have said?). Once reinstated and having risen to the rank of abbot, Shi then entertained prostitutes at the monastery, going so far as to keep them there as mistresses and even fathering their children (another viral post claimed to show the birth certificate of one of them), according to the claims.

The monastery has denied the allegations as “malicious insults”, while Shi last week said he had nothing to hide.

[@PLUGO]

China launches investigation into allegations against Bruce Lee temple abbot

Shi Yongxin, the “CEO monk” who heads China’s famed Shaolin kung fu temple, fails to turn up at martial arts performance in Thailand amid sexual and financial allegations (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/11781016/China-launches-investigation-into-allegations-against-Bruce-Lee-temple-abbot.html)

China has launched an investigation into allegations of financial and sexual misdeeds by the so-called “CEO monk” who heads the famed Shaolin temple, the birthplace of kung fu and inspiration for Bruce Lee’s films.

The investigation was made public amid intense speculation that Shi Yongxin, the controversial abbot, failed to lead a delegation of his warrior monks on a martial arts tour to Thailand because he was being questioned.

There had been rumours that Mr Shi would use the long-arranged trip abroad to flee China to escape the explosive allegations that he embezzled funds and fathered children out of wedlock with female followers, including nuns.

Officials at the 5th Century temple, the home of Zen Buddhism which the abbot has transformed into a multi-million dollar commercial enterprise, have vigorously denied the online claims.

The abbot’s aides have reported the accuser, a purported former disciple writing under a pseudonym, to police for "fabricated and malicious insults and libel".

But in China, where religious activity is regulated by the communist state, officials in the city of Denfeng in Henan province, have now revealed that they have been asked to investigate the claims by their national bosses.

“Our bureau takes this extremely seriously and will swiftly clarify ... and ensure a correct understanding of the matter,” the religious affairs department said in a one-sentence notice published on the city government website on Monday.

Despite the controversies that he has faced since becoming abbot in 1999, Mr Shi has previously operated with the blessing of the authorities and served as member of the National People’s Congress and vice-chairman of the state-backed Buddhist Association of China.

Shaolin temple has a history as dramatic as its forested hillside setting. It was twice emptied and left on the brink of survival last century, the second time by the Red Guards of Chairman Mao after the communist chief denounced the practice of kung fu as a religious decadence.

But in his enthusiastic embrace of the commercial spirit of 21st century China, Abbot Shi has steered the temple down lucrative new paths, establishing the Shaolin “brand”, setting up foreign outposts and dispatching touring display teams of highly choreographed warrior monks.

In photographs, the chubby-faced robed monk is often pictured with an iPhone clasped to his ear as he negotiates deals. He made international headlines earlier this year when he announced plans for a splashy $297 million Shaolin complex in Australia – including not just a temple and a kung fu academy, but also a theme park and a golf course.

He was previously criticised for renting out the temple site to film-makers, accepting a luxury car from the local government for his contribution to tourism and a plan to list the Shaolin complex on the stock exchange.

Mr Shi’s no-show in Thailand only deepened speculation about his whereabouts. The Beijing News reported that he did not turn up in Thailand because he was being questioned by the religious affairs authorities in Dengfeng, although temple staff denied that.

In a letter of apology sent to the Thai organisers that did little to end the intrigues, the abbot explained that he became too busy with work to make the trip.

The scandal has provided ammunition for critics of the monk in China. The People's Daily, the official newspaper of the communist party, was notable pointed in its comments.

"It is not enough for Shaolin Temple to complain to the police about the accusation or calm the heated online discussion about the scandal,” it wrote. “A thorough investigation should be conducted to investigate the accusation and determine whether they are true.”

[GeneChing]

Corrupt religious leaders may inspire welcome spiritual crisis in China (http://www.wantchinatimes.com/news-subclass-cnt.aspx?id=20150805000011&cid=1504)
Staff Reporter 2015-08-05 09:11 (GMT+8)

http://www.wantchinatimes.com/newsphoto/2015-08-05/450/Shaolinshi-160349_copy1.jpg

Shi Yongxin appears with a necklace of coins around his neck alongside the Chinese characters for "Shaolin Temple," with gold coins replacing the dots in the characters. (Cartoon/CFP)

Religious figures in China have run into trouble one after another over recent months, from the murder charges leveled at Qigong master and darling of celebrities and business leaders Wang Lin to the alleged sexual antics, illegitimate children and embezzlement of Shaolin abbot Shi Yongxin, according to Duowei News, a US-based political news outlet run by overseas Chinese.

These scandals have led to a crisis of faith among many religious people in the country and accusations that the majority of religious leaders in the country are charlatans out to make a quick buck out of the country's faithful.

There are advantages and disadvantages to the secularization of Chinese society and its move towards utilitarianism. The advantages are that people are less likely to fall prey to superstition and religious fervor but the disadvantages are the moral and spiritual voids left by a lack of faith. However, some commentators have said that China's current spiritual crisis could inspire a more profound kind of faith taking form in the country, the piece said.

Utilitarian Faith

Shi Yongxin is sometimes criticized as resembling the CEO of a company more than a Buddhist abbot. There has been a lot of controversy surrounding the commercial way that Shi, who holds an MBA, has packaged the Shaolin brand and whether this fits in with the core concepts of the Buddhist faith. Even those who have come to his defense, have limited themselves to defending his business prowess, rather than his moral virtue.

However, some commentators have questioned whether the allegations against Shi — that he engaged in sexual relations with devotees of the monastery and fathered children against monastery rules while embezzling huge sums of money — turn out to be true or false, if anyone is really convinced that he is anything but a sales manager? Or indeed that Shaolin Temple, made famous by a series of kung fu films, is anything but a glorified martial arts performance troupe? Some people have even compared Shi's claim to be a senior religious figure with the administrator of a university claiming to be a professor.

One analyst cited by the website stated that the Shaolin monastery had been endowed with a profound symbolic meaning by film and television culture in the country. The temple's status as a symbol is why there was such controversy over Shi's alleged dodgy dealings with the local government, as this was seen as a betrayal of the monastery's symbolic significance.

As for Wang Lin, it seems he served more as a curiosity and a networking platform for celebrities and business leaders, rather than pulling off a massive scam of which they were the target. When Qigong was at the height of its popularity, renowned Chinese scientists and national leaders also met with him in person and took photographs with him. Many of those who took photographs with him, however, did not likely believe in his powers, but approached him purely as a curiosity.

As renowned author and translator Lin Yutang once said, when Chinese people are feeling proud, they believe in Confucianism; when they are frustrated they believe in Daoism and Buddhism and when these doctrines go against their interests, they say "human wisdom prevails over nature." This has led to a series of religious fads and the rapid restoration and decline of different schools of religious thoughts according to whatever is most convenient for the current zeitgeist, which one scholar cited by the paper described as "spiritual adultery." He said that in China, religion is widely conceived of in the utilitarian terms of transactions with a deity or deities, not as a responsibility to that deity.

The website stated that it is likely that these kind of scandals are not a new phenomenon, but rather that the party has slackened its censorship rules to allow the media to report on them for some reason. It's not certain whether this suggests increasing press freedom or the targeting of religious groups which could pose a threat to party loyalty.

References:

Wang Lin　　 王林

Shi Yongxin　　釋永信

More on Wang Lin on our Busted-Qigong-Masters (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?56283-Busted-Qigong-Masters&p=1285300#post1285300) thread.

I'm beginning to wonder how this will affect the upcoming 4th-Shaolin-Cultural-Festival-San-Francisco-CA-Oct-8-11-2015 (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?68641-The-4th-Shaolin-Cultural-Festival-San-Francisco-CA-Oct-8-11-2015)

[ShaolinDiva]

Well, at least they're getting tons of top USA media exposure :rolleyes: Bad news is exposure nonetheless for Shaolin. I must admit that the NY Times journalism piece is a good piece of journalism! :p

And most definitely this shall affect the San Fran show if this continues - but they got a couple of months to put out this forest fire.


Washington Post
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/china-bureau-probing-controversial-shaolin-temple-abbot/2015/08/03/b13cb080-39a7-11e5-8993-0b783c1d6d37_story.html

NY times
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/06/world/asia/shi-yongxin-shaolin-ceo-monk-accused-of-swindling-and-philandering.html?_r=0

CNN
http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/29/china/...ang/index.html

[GeneChing]

I'm going to C&P it here because hyperlinks expire.


Money, Lust and Kung Fu: Shaolin’s ‘C.E.O. Monk’ Is Under Fire (http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/06/world/asia/shi-yongxin-shaolin-ceo-monk-accused-of-swindling-and-philandering.html?mwrsm=Facebook&_r=0)
点击查看本文中文版

By ANDREW JACOBS AUG. 5, 2015

http://static01.nyt.com/images/2015/08/05/world/06shaolin-web/06shaolin-web-master675.jpg
Students practicing kung fu at the Shaolin Tagou School, one of the private academies near the Shaolin Temple in Dengfeng, China, in November 2014. Credit Adam Dean for The New York Times

DENGFENG, China — Incense drifting through ancient cedars. Saffron-robed monks, limbs a blur of movement, making quick work of imagined enemies. The boing of a giant bronze bell calling the faithful to prayer.

This is the scene at the fabled Shaolin Temple, a cradle of kung fu and Zen Buddhism nestled in the forests of the central Chinese province of Henan, where legend has it monks have trained in martial arts for centuries. But in recent days, another sound has been wafting across its hallowed grounds: the snickering of tourists trading the latest news about the abbot of Shaolin and his reportedly less than virtuous ways.

Over the past week, much of the nation has been transfixed by salacious allegations that the famed abbot, Shi Yongxin, known as China’s C.E.O. Monk for transforming Shaolin into a global commercial empire, is a swindler and serial philanderer who secretly fathered children with two of his lovers, vows of celibacy notwithstanding.

The accusations — new tidbits have appeared almost daily in the Chinese news media — are mostly based on documents released by a self-described former monk at the temple who says the abbot owns a small fleet of fancy cars, has embezzled millions of dollars from a temple-run corporation and has funneled some of the cash to a mistress now living in Australia.

http://static01.nyt.com/images/2015/08/06/world/06shaolin-web4/06shaolin-web4-articleLarge.jpg
Shi Yongxin in 2005. He faces allegations of embezzlement and breaking his vow of celibacy. Credit Cancan Chu/Getty Images

Beyond the obvious legal repercussions, the abbot’s apparent lust for women, money and bling runs counter to the virtues of chastity and austere living that he has long sought to personify as one of the most prominent figures in Chinese Buddhism. To his growing legion of critics, the scandal has heightened public cynicism about a society in which greed and crass materialism often seem to trump morality, especially among those in positions of power.

The informer, a mysterious figure using a name that translates as “seeker of justice,” has told reporters he is fed up with the abbot’s hypocrisy and wants to see the “grounds of Shaolin purified again.” He declined interview requests and has yet to appear in public, saying he is afraid for his safety following threats from what he called “Shi Yongxin’s henchmen.”

“We want the outside world to know that the Shaolin abbot, using Buddhism as a cloak, is a maniacal womanizer and corrupt ‘tiger’ who brazenly exploits Shaolin’s assets and tarnishes its reputation,” he wrote in a statement last week that pleaded for a government investigation.

Among the evidence he has made public to support his accusations are police depositions and photographs of a woman said to be one of the abbot’s lovers, a Shaolin nun who appears dressed in brown monastic robes while holding the baby she says was fathered by Shi Yongxin. Another supposed mistress claims to have physical evidence of his lechery: semen, collected in a condom, that she sent to a doctor for safekeeping. Over the weekend, she used a social media account to post a photo of the underwear she says she wore during sex with the abbot.

During a visit to the temple last week, the modest gray-brick pavilion where Shi Yongxin lives and works was padlocked, and monastery officials declined interview requests. In a statement posted online, they called the allegations against Shi Yongxin “vicious, groundless libel.”

http://static01.nyt.com/images/2015/08/05/world/06shaolin-web2/06shaolin-web2-articleLarge.jpg
A monk selling souvenirs and religious trinkets at the Shaolin Temple. The temple's abbot, Shi Yongxin, has helped transform Shaolin into a global commercial empire. Credit Adam Dean for The New York Times

Local police officials say they have opened an investigation, perhaps moved by the media maelstrom and a public finger wag by the powerful State Administration for Religious Affairs, which warned that the scandal threatened to tarnish Chinese Buddhism.

Critics have complained for years that Shi Yongxin has overcommercialized Shaolin through product licensing and overseas franchises, including plans for a $300 million luxury Shaolin kung fu resort and golf course in southeastern Australia.

Like the paying tourists who flock to Shaolin’s hourly “fighting monks” acrobatic show, other controversies have come and gone, including reports that the monastery spent more than $400,000 on “luxury toilets” and an initial public stock offering that was scuttled amid criticism that monks sworn to asceticism should not be playing the stock market.

News accounts have also detailed Shi Yongxin’s taste for Apple products and gold-filament robes — all gifts, he pointed out — and a 2011 Xinhua report said the authorities were investigating claims he managed to escape prosecution after being caught in a brothel raid.

Through it all, the abbot has remained stoic, refusing to respond to allegations of impropriety while brushing off requests to release details of the monastery’s finances, which include those of Shaolin Intangible Assets Management, a corporation that invests in seven Buddhist-themed enterprises and is largely owned by him.

continued next post

[GeneChing]

A History of Shaolin Temple

Founding (495)An Indian monk founded the Shaolin Temple in the Song mountain range in Henan. The monk, known as Batuo, was its first abbot and, some say, introduced martial arts there.
Turbulent 1,400 YearsThe Shaolin Temple was destroyed and restored several times because of conflicts over the monks' political allegiances. In 1928, the warlord Shi Yousan set fire to the monastery.
Cultural Revolution (1966-1976)Red Guards destroyed the rebuilt temple and attacked its monks.
International Fame (1982)A Hong Kong movie starring Jet Li, ‘‘Shaolin Temple,’’ brought the monastery added fame; it spawned a number of sequels.
Going Into Business (1997)The Shaolin Temple set up the first company run by a Buddhist monastery in China — to trademark its name.
Abbot Shi Yongxin (1999-today)In his 16 years as abbot, he has revived ancient Shaolin medicine, set up martial arts schools overseas and pursued other investments, including a failed stock exchange listing and a plan to build a $300 million luxury Shaolin kung fu resort and golf course in southeastern Australia.

By VANESSA PIAO

“If these things are problems, they would have become problems by now,” he told the BBC elliptically during a visit to London last year.

A pudgy, soft-spoken man with a round, shaved head, Shi Yongxin, 50, is alternately lionized in the Chinese media for reviving the 1,500-year-old monastery complex after decades of desecration and neglect and criticized for his mercantile approach to its management.

In interviews, he has described the business deals and his globe-trotting ways as necessary to promote Buddhism, and especially Shaolin’s unique brand of martial arts, mysticism and faith.

“If China can import Disney resorts, why can’t other countries import the Shaolin Monastery?” Xinhua quoted him as saying in March amid criticism over the Australia project. “Promoting culture abroad is a very dignified undertaking.”

Even if officially atheist, China’s ruling Communist Party has come to appreciate Shaolin’s global profile and its ability to generate revenue. Judging from the parade of officials who have visited in recent years, many also evidently believe in the mythological protective powers of Shaolin’s fighting monks, a reputation dating from the seventh century, when, as the story goes, a band of 13 monks saved a Tang dynasty prince from a predacious warlord.

http://static01.nyt.com/images/2015/08/06/world/06SHAOLIN-JP/06SHAOLIN-JP-articleLarge.jpg
Kung fu students at the Shaolin Tagou School in Dengfeng, China, in November 2014. Credit Adam Dean for The New York Times

Appreciative officials have returned the favor, giving Shi Yongxin a $125,000 luxury vehicle and anointing him as a representative to the country’s ceremonial legislature, the National People’s Congress. His other political sinecure is a top job with the state-run Buddhist Association of China.

Shi Yongxin’s defenders say successful people invariably draw enemies. Li Xiangping, director of the Religion and Society Research Institute at East China Normal University, said the critics had misunderstood his role as a bridge between Buddhism and the secular world, and especially a government that has the ultimate say over religious affairs in China.

“They think monks should just study scripture really hard and sit meditating morning and night,” Professor Li said. “But if you really want to promote Buddhism and influence society, you have to interact with the society.”

Amid a party campaign against corruption and gluttony that has toppled scores of powerful figures, the fact that the story has remained alive in the tightly controlled state news media for so many days does not bode well for Shi Yongxin. On Monday, news outlets gleefully reported that he failed to show up in Thailand over the weekend for a previously scheduled martial arts performance because he was “tied up” with the investigation.

But here at the heart of Shaolin Inc., home to 400 resident monks and where thousands of students study martial arts in private academies that line the main road to town, support for Shi Yongxin remains strong.

Last week, a group of 30 monks released a public letter rejecting the allegations against him, and even the trinket vendors wave away the innuendo. “You won’t find a more virtuous man,” said Wang Daling, 50, a tour guide who has been leading groups through the temple complex for two decades.

Many tourists, however, were not buying the denials. “Just the sight of his fleshy face to me suggests he’s guilty,” said Li Yanan, 24, an engineering student on a visit from nearby Shandong Province. “Monks aren’t supposed to be so fat.”

Still, few thought Shaolin would suffer lasting damage given the temple’s popularity both in China and abroad.

“The more gossip about Shaolin, the more tourists will come,” said Zhang Jianzhen, 32, a snack vendor whose concession sells $1.50 bottles of water, a 400 percent markup over those sold outside Shaolin’s gates. “That can only be good for business.”

Adam Wu contributed research.

A version of this article appears in print on August 6, 2015, on page A4 of the New York edition with the headline: Money, Lust and Kung Fu: China’s ‘C.E.O. Monk’ Is Under Fire.

As this story progresses, just remember that our forum was on top of this last week before it went viral (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?42909-Abbot-scandals&p=1285447#post1285447). :cool:

[GeneChing]

Revealed: Woman posts pictures of underwear she 'wore while in bed' with scandal-hit (and celibate) head monk of Zen Buddhist kung fu Shaolin Temple
(http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3189479/Woman-posts-pictures-underwear-wore-bed-scandal-hit-celibate-head-monk-Zen-Buddhist-kung-fu-Shaolin-Temple.html)
Account belonging to 'Ms Liu Liming' posted a photograph of underwear
Claims she kept the underwear as evidence she slept with Shi Yongxin
The 'C.E.O. monk' took a vow of celibacy - but has reportedly had affairs
Critics question his commercialisation of the famous Shaolin Temple and Yongxin has been accused of embezzling funds
The temple has hit back saying the claims are 'malicious libel'

By Elaine O'flynn and Tracy You For Mailonline
Published: 05:05 EST, 10 August 2015 | Updated: 05:10 EST, 10 August 2015

A woman claiming to be a mistress of China's most notorious Buddhist monk posted a photo of her soiled underwear online, which she claims is proof they had sex.

As well as sharing a picture of the dirty knickers under the 'Ms Liu Liming' account, she claimed she has sent a condom with the sperm of Shi Yongxin - the head of China's Shaolin Temple and known as the 'C.E.O. monk' - to a doctor for safekeeping.

It is the latest scandalous revelation to hit the holy man, who took a solemn vow of celibacy, who has been dogged by allegations of womanizing, embezzlement and claims he has fathered illegitimate children. The allegations have sparked an investigation by Chinese authorities.

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Exposed: Under Liu Liming's social media account last weekend, reported to be the woman pictured left, a picture of soiled underwear was posted as evidence she had sex with Shi Yongxin, the head of Shaolin Temple

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Investigation: The Denfeng city government has said it will look into the allegations made against Shi Yongxin

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Expanding: Under Shi Yongxin the Shaolin Temple - the birthplace of Chinese martial arts and Zen Buddhism - has rapidly expanded and now boasts at least 40 affiliated sites around the world

With millions of followers including celebrities Tina Turner and Orlando Bloom, Buddhism has gained popularity in the West with its focus on personal spiritual enlightenment and triumph over material gain.

And the Shaolin Temple, the birthplace of Zen Buddhism with its army of fighting monks capable of awe-inspiring athletic feats, has gained an almost mythological image in the West.

The temple has sought to protect its brand, successfully commercialising the holy centre and making it an attraction for people around the world.

In doing so Shi Yongxin has become one of the most famous monks in the world – but gossip of alleged impropriety has surrounded the abbot for years. But in recent weeks it has reached fever pitch.

A whistleblower has stoked the fire by leaking a series of documents and photos to Chinese media about the moral figurehead - including what is claimed to be a deposition document between Liu Liming and Shi Yongxin.

At the same time a social media account under Liu Liming's name shared a picture of the stained underwear, saying it was evidence of Shi Yongxin's womanizing, before later taking it off Chinese social media site Weibo. But by that time it had blazed a trail across Chinese media.

The photos and documents allegedly stem from a little known 2004 case in which the monk accused her of blackmail. She apparently held onto 'evidence' of their relationship, which the New York Times reports included a condom filled with his semen.

The informer, who calls himself 'Shi Zhengyi', claims to be a disgruntled ex-monk of the Shaolin Temple, keen to expose the leader's alleged hypocrisy of preaching moral values while behaving inappropriately.

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Leaked: The whistleblower also shared pictures of a Shaolin nun and her baby, who Shi Yongxin is alleged to have fathered. The man said he wanted to expose the 'hypocrisy' of Shi Yongxin with the material

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Gossip: Questions about Shi Yongxin's conduct have been around for a decade, including allegations he uses prostitutes, was a 'sugar daddy' to a student, has multiple mistresses and has illegitimate children


SHI YONGXIN: THE 'CEO MONK'

Born Liu Yingcheng in 1965 in Yingshang County, the future abbot became a monk aged 16, where he took the name 'Shi Yongxin' and joined Shaolin Temple.

In 1993 a Chinese company advertised their sausage under the brand of Shalom on TV in China without the permission of the monastery.

They sued the company and won - sparking concerns that the 'brand' of the monastery was not sufficiently protected from people looking to capitalise on its success.

He became the Abbot in 1999 aged 34 - the youngest head of Shalom Temple in its 1,500 year history - and soon began his plans for commercialisation.

As well as abbot of the monastery, he is the Chairman of the Henan Province Buddhists Association, Vice Chairman of the Buddhist Association of China and a representative of the Ninth National People's Congress

continued next post

[GeneChing]

He sent photos of some of the evidence collected at the deposition, to the state-controlled Chinese newspaper Huashang Bao, under the title 'Latest detailed proof of Shi Yongxin's adultery'.

In the document, collected by Zhenzhou Police Bureau, Liu Liming said she and Shi Yongxin had sex in hotels across China up to 20 times after first meeting three years previously.

The record, translated from its original form by MailOnline, also says during that time she fell pregnant, but had a termination.

Liu Liming denied trying to blackmail the abbot by hanging onto her soiled pink panties.

She said in the deposition: 'The answer is I just wanted to use these things to prove the sexual relationship between me and Shi Yongxin, to prevent him denying it. I didn't have another purpose.'

Shi Zhengyi admitted meeting Liu Liming, the papers show, after she contacted him asking if she could set up a branch of the Shaolin Monastery in the city of Shenzhen, but said their relationship was strictly professional.

The case was settled, with Shi Yongxin paying her three million Yuan (£104,000) as compensation.

The real identity of 'Shi Zhengyi' is not known. The People's Daily News reported that the Defeng city government said they had no records of anyone with that name - which roughly translates as 'justice' - and he 'doesn't exist'.

He has said he wanted to to force a government investigation into Shi Yongxin, saying in a statement to the New York Times: 'We want the outside world to know that the Shaolin abbot, using Buddhism as a cloak, is a maniacal womanizer and corrupt 'tiger' who brazenly exploits Shaolin's assets and tarnishes its reputation.'

As well as claiming Shi Yongxin owns a range of swanky cars and has stolen millions from temple's commercial arm, 'Shi Zhengyi' has shared pictures of a Shaolin nun and her baby who the monk is alleged to have fathered.

Monastery officials have denied the allegations against the monk, who has committed himself to a life of celibacy, poverty and upholding moral values.

The 50-year-old has been at the forefront of the transformation of Shaolin Temple, which dates back 1,500 years and is the birthplace of kung fu and Zen Buddhism.

Over the centuries it has been destroyed and rebuilt many times over, after being raided by bandits in the 14th century, sacked in the 17th by rebel forces and razed to the ground in the 18th by the ruling Qing dynasty.

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Spectacular: Critics of Shi Yongxin have taken exception to the rapid commercialization of Shaolin Monastery
Monks are trained at the Shaolin Temple from a young age

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Presents: Shi Yongxin is pictured receiving the gold-threaded robe, which is thought to have cost £5,200

Yet time and time again it has bounced back, and these days stands as the epicentre of a commercial empire, with at least 40 affiliated sites around the world, a global reputation and millions in the bank.

But critics have complained the rapid commercialisation of Shaolin under Shi Yongxin has come at too high a price, amid accusations of 'moral corruption' of its monks, and overspending.

Questions were raised over the monastery reportedly spending £277,000 on toilets for tourists inside the temple, and Shi Yongxin receiving a gold-threaded robe, which craftsmen spent years making and cost a reported 50,000 Yuan (£5,200),The People’s Daily News wrote.

Ifeng.com reported that in 2006, Shi Yongxin accepted a jeep worth one million Yuan (£104,000) from the city of Dengfeng, while on a tourism conference.

He defended accepting the jeep at the time, saying: ‘We attracted a lot of tourists and students, so the local government gave me a present of a car to encourage me to work better.’

The website also reported some of the most explosive allegations in 2011, when rumours swirled on the internet that Shi Yongxin had been arrested for prostitution – prompting him to register at the local police station as a show of his innocence.

Shi Yongxin was also accused of owning villas in American and Germany, having sex with one Chinese celebrity and being a ‘sugar daddy’ to a female university student, who he has a son with and now lives in Germany.

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Historic: Rumours that the historic Shaolin Temple had put thousands into off-shore Chinese accounts appeared on the internet in 2011 - were dismissed by the monastery as 'complete nonsense'

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Planned: An artist's impression of the proposed new Shaolin Temple centre in New South Wales, Australia

In October of that year, a statement was published on the temple’s website dismissing the allegations and calling them ‘complete nonsense’, adding it was ‘malicious libel.’

The gossip has continued, as suggestions that $30million (£19million) in the temple’s account was put into bank accounts overseas were also published on Ifeng.com.

And in November 2011, a hacker infiltrated the temple’s website and posted an apparent ‘letter of confession’ in the name of Shi Yongxin – expressing his ‘guilt’ for commercializing the temple, and asking other ‘sinners’ of the temple not to continue pursuing this strategy.

The commercialization has continued regardless - plans were revealed this year to for the monastery to invest £180million in a new complex in New South Wales, Australia, which will include a temple, hotel, golf course and Kung fu academy,News.com.au reported.

He defended himself to the state-run Xinhua news agency in March, saying: 'If China can import Disney resorts, why can't other countries import the Shaolin Monastery?

'Cultural promotion is a very dignified undertaking.'

As a result of the latest slew of allegations, the religious affairs bureau under the Denfeng city government says it was asked by the national body to look into the latest claims against the Chinese abbot.

'Our bureau takes this extremely seriously and will swiftly clarify ... and ensure a correct understanding of the matter,' the bureau said in a one-sentence notice on the city government website.

MailOnline has attempted to contact Shi Yongxin directly for comment.

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Under attack: Shi Yongxin defended the rapid plans for expansion as similar to other enterprises, saying: 'If China can import Disney resorts, why can't other countries import the Shaolin Monastery?'



Those panties are really ugly. Just what I wanted to see first thing on a Monday morn...:rolleyes:

[ShaolinDiva]

Those panties are really ugly. Just what I wanted to see first thing on a Monday morn...:rolleyes:

:eek: Right!? You would think they would use some Victoria Secret pair at least to show the world. And the other incriminating evidence is very questionable. I dunno. Where's CSI when you really need them!?

[Siu Lum Fighter]

So...you mean to tell me the Shaolin Abbot is actually more like this guy?
9549

[PalmStriker]

:) Looks that way so far...Can't fool the Buddha! https://www.google.com/search?q=meditating+buddha&biw=1440&bih=799&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0CB0QsARqFQoTCLe_u42ppMcCFQUtiAodk30Lzw

[GeneChing]

Shaolin Temple Abbot Shi Yongxin Controversy Remains Sizzling (http://en.yibada.com/articles/56566/20150824/shaolin-temple-abbot-shi-yongxin-controversy-remains-alive.htm)
Francis Eduard Ang | Aug 24, 2015 06:36 AM EDT

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Abbot Shi Yongxin remains a prominent figure in the Shaolin Temple despite accusations linking him to corruption and sexual misconduct. (Photo : Reuters)

Controversy continues to surround Shaolin Abbot Shi Yongxin, as more are coming forward to expose his alleged misdeeds, following accusations made against him by a person aliased Shi Zhengyi since late July, despite the lack of action taken by authorities against the religious leader.

Shortly after the anonymous Shaolin follower forwarded his accusations against Shi Yongxin, the local Dengfeng religious administration announced that they launched an investigation into the claims made by Shi Zhengyi.
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However, it is speculated that more resources are being allocated to finding out who the mysterious Shi Zhengyi is, rather than looking into any of the accusations. Some have accused the authorities of siding with the Shaolin abbot, whose connections in politics and business are well-known.

But several others have come forward, claiming to present evidence against Shi Yongxin.

Earlier this month, a woman whose social media account is named "Ms. Liu Liming" posted two photos, one of herself and another of soiled panties that she claims she wore when having sexual contact with Shi Yongxin. She also claims that she gave a condom full of his sperm to a doctor for safe keeping.

On Aug. 8, six individuals affiliated with the Shaolin Temple, including Shi Yanlu, who some speculate is the man behind Shi Zhengyi, traveled to Beijing to present evidence to show Shi Yongxin's involvement in several issues, both regarding corruption and violation of celibacy.

The evidence includes documents that prove that Shi Yongxin had "inappropriate relations" with Han Mingjun, whose Buddhist name is Shi Yanjie, a former abbess of the Shangqiu Guanyin Temple. Han moved to Australia in 2009 after giving birth to a daughter allegedly fathered by Shi Yongxin.

The documents supposedly also prove that Shi Yongxin paid off women to keep them quiet. They also list down several properties and assets that supposedly belong to the temple but are exclusively used and controlled by Shi Yongxin.

As of this point, no legal action has been taken against Shi Yongxin.


It's all about the bottom line here.

[GeneChing]

Wednesday, 26 August 2015 08:54
10 SINS OF SHAOLIN: ABBOT ACCUSED OF RAPE & SEX SCANDALS
Cetak E-mel Komentar

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Beijing - Shi Yongxin has been embroiled in controversies since his name was first heard.

The very famous, or infamous, abbot of the legendary Shaolin Temple has long been accused of over-commercialising a major religious institution.

But now he faces more serious charges: Late last month someone named Shi Zhengyi, came forward with allegations of “10 sins” the abbot has supposedly committed.

Other than “taking over Shaolin assets”, the bigger allegations are “playing with women and fathering children outside wedlock”. Specifically, the abbot was accused of “rape” and “keeping mistresses”.

These figureheads of religious piety are supposed to be voluntarily celibate, aren’t they?

It’s an open secret that Shaolin Temple operates more like a business than a religious entity under Shi’s stewardship. Is this wrong?

Many who trek to the renowned temple in Dengfeng, are tourists rather than pilgrims. In fact, you must pay to enter nearly all China’s religious venues that also function as tourist attractions. There is one aspect to commercialisation that seems to be unique to Shaolin.

http://www.thestar.com.my/~/media/Images/TSOL/Photos-Gallery/Nation/2015/08/25/014296531.ashx?w=620&h=413&crop=1&

The temple has reportedly set up dozens, if not hundreds, of corporations all around the world. Abbot Shi espouses this as a means to promote Shaolin-style Buddhism.

It is totally conceivable that religious institutions have ancillary businesses.

Now, it is up to regulators who should determine, in advance preferably, whether this should be allowed... and to what extent.

Theoretically, whatever isn’t forbidden should be regarded as legal.

It still falls within the realm of differing points of view to see Shi either as a smart businessman whose suit is a bright red-and-yellow robe and who happens to be in the faith business or as a hypocrite who wants to capitalise on the faith and tourism boom with little regard for the sanctity of religion.

The early litany of “wrongdoings” includes Shi taking up as much as 80% of the temple’s equities, which has since been explained by the temple as a mere technicality.

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However, a group of seven senior members from the temple travelled to Beijing on Aug 8 and filed a formal report with the State Administration of Religious Affairs, presenting what they claimed to be evidence of Shi’s appropriation of millions of yuan from the temple.

That includes the 2006 purchase of a motor vehicle Shi allegedly got after borrowing 190,000 yuan (RM124,740) from Shi Yanlu, one of the filers. The abbot then allegedly claimed it as a temple expense without repaying the amount borrowed.

Shi “got a free vehicle and 190,000 yuan in cash, which should both be the temple’s assets”, according to Shi Yanlu.

The abbot would probably explain the free vehicle as a business expense, but the cash he allegedly kept is trickier to clarify. The public could probably care less about the intricacies of bookkeeping and number crunching.

It’s usually sex that pulls someone off the pedestal. Of course, one can argue that someone in his position might have used wealth he did not own to bait the women, who in this case did not even dream of becoming his official wife.

But these are separate issues.

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One may commit a sin without committing a crime or vice versa. A financially clean person of power may have a secret lover, and the relationship may not necessarily be based on money and power.

But for those growing up on a heavy dose of melodrama, funneling public money into one’s personal boudoir makes the perfectly titillating story with a morally black-and-white message.

The truth, unfortunately, may be more opaque and complicated.

First of all, we should refrain from trying anyone, celebrity or not, only in the court of public opinion.

Now it is the prosecutor’s job to conduct a thorough investigation and sift through the rumours and mud before zeroing in on the facts.

Anyway, both for the abbot’s reputation and for the public’s right to know, authorities should find out whether he overstepped the line... legally, ethically, religiously or otherwise. — China Daily

So the big question is when is the trial? Will there even be one?

[GeneChing]

Nice to be quoted so flatteringly. Thanks Sascha!


A CAT WHO CAN CATCH MICE: A CLOSER LOOK AT THE ABBOT OF SHAOLIN (http://fightland.vice.com/blog/a-cat-who-can-catch-mice-a-closer-look-at-the-abbot-of-shaolin)
FIGHTLAND BLOG
By Sascha Matuszak

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On August 21st, China’s Supreme People's Procuratorate, the government body which supervises anti-graft wing investigations, formally accepted a claimant’s plea to investigate Shi Yongxin, the abbot of Shaolin Temple. The step came after a group of monks and former monks traveled to Beijing and personally petitioned the central authorities to step in after local officials in the town of Dengfeng, where the temple is located, made little progress in the month since the allegations surfaced on Chinese social media.

The Want China Times identified the petitioners as Shi Yanlu, who previously taught martial arts at the temple, Shi Yande and Shi Yanyong, lay disciples at the temple, monk Shi Yanqin, Shaolin resident Shi Yanren and the former director of legal affairs for the temple Wang Yonghua. Shi Zhengyi, the anonymous whistleblower who cast the first stone on Weibo, China’s Facebook/Twitter hybrid, is either an umbrella name for the group and their supporters, a mysterious figure in the shadows, or a non-person.

Shi Yongxin himself, despite being profiled as the CEO Monk who drives around in flashy cars, is somewhat of a mystery. One of the best profiles of the monk was written by Gene Ching for Kung Fu Magazine back in 2003. Shi Yongxin had been abbot for just four years and a lot of the moves he is famous for hadn’t been made yet. But the younger Shi Yongxin was already taking warrior-monks on tours, establishing associations and research bodies, and lobbying for Unesco World Heritage status for the temple. But he had been active long before he became abbot in 1999:

“In 1986 he helped establish the Shaolin Temple Martial Way Development Association ... [t]he following year he developed a warrior monk demonstration team for Shaolin Temple and became the team leader. ...

In February of 1988, Yongxin founded the Shaolin Red Cross Association to provide medical assistance to the local suburban residents. He also established, nine months later, the Shaolin Calligraphy and Art Research Organization. In June of 1989, Yongxin led the Shaolin Warrior Monk Team on a fundraising demonstration tour across China. They collected money for a large commemorative statue that was erected by the Yellow River in Henan. Later, he lead the warrior monks abroad to Canada, England, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Macao, Malaysia, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand, in one of the earliest friendship tours to spread Shaolin culture.

By 1993 Yongxin was spearheading a multitude of projects to promote Shaolin culture. In March he was elected into one of Henan's highest political positions as a representative at the People's Congress. Soon after in May, he established the Chinese Zen Poetry Research Center, which published an annual collection of Chinese Zen poems. The following month was truly extraordinary. Yongxin was part of a Shaolin Buddhist Cultural Team invited to Taiwan by the Taiwan Chinese Culture University. It was the first time that Mainland and Taiwanese Buddhists interacted face-to-face in four decades.”

Shi Yongxin the first acting, official abbot of the Shaolin Temple in more than 300 years. Since 1772, no one led the temple, organized tours, disciplined monks, established relations, or expanded research. In fact, following the razing of the temple in 1927, Shaolin lay in ruins until the 1980s. Shi Yongxin’s immediate predecessor, Shi Xingzheng, had some success reviving the name, but when he died in 1986, the temple had a few dozen monks scattered about a rag tag collection of dilapidated ruins in the backwards village of Dengfeng.

Shi Yongxin changed all of that. He moved the temple into its current location, at the foot of Songshan Mountain, and set up reclaiming and rebuilding Shaolin. He revamped and organized the tourism industry—jumpstarted by the 1970s film industry out of Hong Kong—and put people to work. Warrior monks were expelled and replaced with martial artists. By the time Matthew Polly entered the temple as a student in 1992, the ruinous hulk of the 80s had been replaced by offices and courtyards with monkish teachers, not-so-monkish drinkers, a rapidly developing bureaucratic apparatus, and foreign relations with everyone from the lowly 98lb weakling searching for meaning to curious heads of state.

The abbot made Shaolin. Unfortunately, not everyone is pleased with what he made Shaolin into. But that, in a nutshell, is the story of China at the turn of the century. A bunch of crooks and thieves made China into the juggernaut it is today on the world stage. They had little to work with, were starting from scratch, and there were few time-places which provided as much opportunity to get rich and be naked than China during the 1990s and 2000s. A fantastic look at the absurdity of one billion people released into the wild west is Yu Hua’s novel, Brothers, which tells the tale of a rich, unscrupulous pervert and his impossibly (for Western society) upstanding brother during the end of the Cultural Revolution and the decades that followed.

Shi Yongxin grew up in that world, perhaps as an upstanding and dedicated monk, and was in a position to resurrect a dead icon of Chinese culture. He was the one who took pilgrimages to Buddha’s birthplace in India, organized collections of Zen poetry, and marshaled the leaderless monks of Shaolin into an internationally renowned force for modern Chinese Buddhism and lucrative kung fu.

His accomplishments obviously do not absolve him of guilt. An abbot of the Shaolin Temple needs to keep his pants on. But the man who Opened China up to the world in 1979 famously said, “Black cat, white cat. Doesn’t matter as long as it catches mice.”

Shi Yongxin is most definitely a cat who can catch the mice, and now he’s paying the price for his success.



Even better that he linked the article to that 2003 Shaolin Special (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/magazine/article.php?article=397) cover story: THE WORLD HERITAGE OF SHAOLIN
INTERVIEW WITH VENERABLE SHI YONGXIN, ABBOT OF SHAOLIN TEMPLE (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/magazine/article.php?article=398)

[GeneChing]

杨宁：释永信可能要出事 (http://www.epochtimes.com/gb/15/9/13/n4526629.htm)
9月12日大陆曝出的两则新闻都与一直处于舆论漩涡中的嵩山少林寺方丈释永信有关。（网络图片）
【字號】大 中 小
更新: 2015-09-13 05:47:57 AM 標籤: 释永信 , 李长春 , 善恶有报

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【大纪元2015年09月13日讯】9月12日大陆曝出的两则新闻都与一直处于舆论漩涡中的嵩山少林寺方丈 释永信有关。一则说的是当日在河南省登封市正式开幕的嵩山论坛2015年年会上，并未见到释永信的影子，嘉 宾名单中也没有他的名字，而在以往三届，释永信均有出席。会议负责人没有解释其未出席的原因。另一则说的是 郑州市公安局及其所辖公安业务系统担任领导职务的警官，因涉嫌泄露“释永信报案”询问（讯问）笔录被上级作 出“停止执行职务”处分，目前相关责任人正在接受进一步调查。

而在此之前，少林寺一些弟子进京向最高检察院、中国佛教协会和国家宗教局三家单位递交材料举报释永信。国家 宗教局称8月10日已收到关于释永信的举报材料，并已按相关程序转交河南省宗教事务部门核实情况。上述两则 新闻透露出的信息或许与调查的进展有关。

应该说，此时的释永信已是身不由己，他不出席年会，并非本人的意愿，而是来自官方的决定，这也似乎印证了此 前的某些传闻不虚，释永信已不太适合在重大场合露面。而涉嫌泄露“释永信报案”询问（讯问）笔录警官被处分 的消息，则在暗示众人，释永信的确曾被警方讯问过，笔录是真实的存在。

这份曾在8月1日被“释正义”发送给新闻媒体的2004年的笔录，透露了释永信与刘某某的瓜葛，证明当时前 者正被后者“敲诈”。按照“释正义”的说法，二人存在不正当关系，释永信不仅违反佛教戒律、玩弄女人，而且 还有情妇，有私生女。显然，证实笔录的真实存在，是揭开释永信玩弄女人真面目的第一步，而这样的释永信自然 不适合出席在国内外有一定影响的嵩山论坛了。

结合以往的一些迹象，如释永信被禁止前往泰国参会；大陆媒体无所顾忌地刊登释正义乃至释延鲁举报释永信的举 报材料，并深度挖掘，甚至以调侃方式，暗示带头大哥释永信的N种结局；释永信的子女、情妇名字被相关人员证 实；中共佛教界对其的撇清关系……这一切都似乎在表明，释永信快要有麻烦了。

此外，根据此前的分析，释永信背后的一大靠山是曾主政河南的原政治局常委李长春，其与少林寺的渊源也颇深。 有着江派背景的李长春迄今仍在明里暗里与习近平较劲，如在日前的纪念抗战阅兵式上，喜好摄影的李长春就手拿 日本生产的相机拍照，引起网民热议。因此，释永信这个“小苍蝇”被持续两个多月烧烤，应还是意在其背后的靠 山。而随着江派势力的日渐颓势，存在贪污、道德缺陷的释永信被祭出也是迟早之事。

责任编辑：尚一
相关文章


Here's the Goog translation:

Yang Ning: Shi likely to happen
September 12 exposed the continent's two news have been in the vortex of public opinion and in the Songshan Shaolin Temple abbot Shi Yongxin related. (Internet photo)
[Size] Large Medium Small
Update: 2015-09-13 05:47:57 AM Tags: Shi, Li Changchun, good and evil has been reported

WASHINGTON September 13, 2015] On September 12 the continent's two news are exposed and has been in the vortex of public opinion in the Songshan Shaolin Temple abbot Shi Yongxin related. One says that the day of the official opening in Dengfeng City, Henan Province Songshan Forum 2015 annual meeting, did not see the shadow of Shi Yongxin, the guest list is also not his name, but in the past three sessions, the permanent release letter were present. Meeting people in charge did not explain why they do not attend. Another said that the Zhengzhou Municipal Public Security Bureau under the jurisdiction of the public security service system and in leadership positions of police officers, on suspicion of leaking "Shi Yongxin report" Ask (interrogation) transcripts were made "to stop carrying out their duties," punishment superiors, currently responsible People undergoing further investigation.

Before that, some of his disciples to Beijing Shaolin Temple to the Supreme Procuratorate, the Chinese Buddhist Association and the State Bureau of Religious Affairs to submit material to report three units Shi Yongxin. National Bureau of Religious Affairs, said on August 10 has received reports about Shi material, and has been referred to the religious affairs department of Henan Province, according to the relevant procedures to verify the situation. The two news revealed information about the progress of the investigation may be related.

It should be said, at this time we are involuntarily Shi, he did not attend the annual meeting, not my will, but from the official's decision, which also seems to confirm the rumor had some not true, Shi Yongxin has It is not suitable for major appearances. The suspected leak "Shi Yongxin report" Ask (interrogation) Notes officers were disciplined message, suggesting all, Shi had indeed been questioned by police, taking a real existence.

This was in August 1 was "Release justice" to the news media in 2004 transcript, revealed Shi and Liu XX of connection, to demonstrate the former being the latter "blackmail." In accordance with the "interpretation of justice," saying that the presence of two of improper relationship, not only in violation of the Buddhist precepts Shi, playing a woman, but also the mistress, there are illegitimate daughter. Obviously, it was confirmed real record is the first step to uncover the true face of Shi womanizer, and this does not fit naturally Shi have some influence at home and abroad attended the Songshan forums.

Combined with some signs of the past, such as Shi participants are prohibited to Thailand; mainland media published cynical interpretation of justice as well as to report Shi Shi Yan Lu's report material, and the depth of excavation, and even ridicule way, suggesting that the lead brother Shi Yongxin of N kinds of outcomes; Shi children, mistress name was confirmed relevant personnel; CPC Buddhist community to stay out on them ...... It all seems to indicate that Shi soon in trouble.

Moreover, according to the previous analysis, Shi Yongxin is behind a major backer has ruled the former Politburo Standing Committee Li Changchun, Henan, its origins and the Shaolin Temple is also deep. Jiang's faction has so far background of Li Changchun and Xi Jinping are still overtly or covertly rivalry, as in the parade commemorating the war a few days ago, Li Changchun preferences photography camera on hand to take pictures produced in Japan, causing hot Internet users. Thus, Shi Yongxin this "little fly" was continued two months barbecue, or intended to be backing in behind it. With Jiang's faction increasingly decline, corruption exists, Shi moral defect is resorted to sooner or later things.

[GeneChing]

两个最新信号 释永信不妙了 (https://chinaexaminer.bayvoice.net/gb/truth/2015/09/14/171673.htm%E4%B8%A4%E4%B8%AA%E6%9C%80%E6%96%B0%E4% BF%A1%E5%8F%B7-%E9%87%8A%E6%B0%B8%E4%BF%A1%E4%B8%8D%E5%A6%99%E4%B A%86.html)
2015年9月14日 | 文章分类: 真象挖掘

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少林寺方丈释永信涉嫌经济问题、男女关系等诸多问题一度卷入巨大舆论漩涡。此前几界都未缺席嵩山论坛的释永 信，日前被证实不在嘉宾名单中；此外，郑州一警官因涉嫌泄露〝释永信讯问笔录〞被停职，从侧面证实了此前释 正义指证释永信诸多问题的真实性。这两个最新信号均显示，释永信或面临不妙。

澎湃新闻报导，嵩山论坛始于2012年，过去3届年会（每年一次），释永信均出席。而今年嵩山论坛释永信不 在嘉宾名单中，登封市委宣传部新闻科有关负责人进行了确认称〝这两天都不会出席〞。对为何前三届都出席今年 缺席，该负责人没有透露。

此前在8月27日，国家宗教局宣传处工作人员陈超称，国家宗教局8月10日收到关于释永信的举报材料，并已 按相关程序转交河南省宗教事务部门核实情况，他说：〝国家宗教局将按程序严格处理。〞

7月25日，自称〝代表所有对释永信不满者〞的〝释正义〞，在网上发帖称〝少林寺方丈释永信违反佛教戒律、 玩弄女人〞，释永信有两个身份证，有情妇，有私生女。紧接着，曾为释永信弟子、少林寺四大金刚之一的释延鲁 ，以及多名曾在少林寺生活、工作者，8月8日在京实名向最高人民检察院、中国佛教协会和国家宗教局三家单位 递交材料举报释永信。

此外，法制晚报报导，郑州市公安局及其所辖公安系统担任领导职务的警官，因涉嫌泄露〝释永信报案〞询问(讯 问)笔录被上级作出〝停止执行职务〞处分。目前有关责任人正在接受进一步调查。

8月1日凌晨1时47分，〝释正义〞向新闻媒体发送多份包括释永信和另外一名女性公民接受警方讯问(询问) 的笔录材料，公开披露了多年前公安机关接受释永信报案以及相关当事人接受调查的内部资料。

〝释正义〞公开笔录后，相关媒体曾公开报道：北京京师律师事务所王殿学律师表示，针对〝释正义〞曝出的这些 笔录，首先应该确认真伪。如果询问笔录是真实的，那么刑事笔录一般属于国家秘密，如果是郑州公安机关相关人 员泄露，该人员就涉嫌故意或者过失泄露国家秘密，应受到行政处罚，如果后果严重，可能还会涉嫌犯罪。而非国 家工作人员也可能会涉嫌故意或者过失泄露国家秘密，还可以涉嫌非法获取国家秘密。

有分析指出，这个信息等于从另一个侧面证实了释永信贪钱、淫乱等传闻的真实性。而释永信这么一个小苍蝇，能 够经历两个多月的烧烤而不倒，说明其背后或有很硬的靠山后台。

8月8日，大陆财新网发表题为《释永信：一路风波中的佛门晋升路》的文章。文章披露了释永信在少林寺起家的 一些内幕，并罕见直接点名中共前政治局常委李长春。时政评论员杨宁分析称，释永信背后的一大靠山就是曾主政 河南的李长春，其与少林寺的渊源也颇深。随着江派势力的日渐颓势，存在贪污、道德缺陷的释永信被祭出已是迟 早之事。

【新唐人2015年09月14日讯】

Again, the Goog translation:

Shi Yongxin, the worst of the two most recent signals
September 14, 2015 | Article Category: Mining truth

Shaolin Temple abbot Shi Yongxin alleged economic problems, many problems in the relationship between men and women was involved in a huge vortex of public opinion. None had a few circles absence Shi Songshan Forum has recently been confirmed is not on the guest list; moreover, Zhengzhou, a police officer on suspicion of leaking "Shi interrogation record" was suspended from the side of justice, confirming an earlier release to testify Shi the authenticity of many problems. These two signals are the latest display, Shi or face bad.

Surging News, Songshan forum began in 2012, over the past 3 annual meeting (once a year), Shi Yongxin attended. This year, the guest list is not Shi Songshan forum in Dengfeng Municipal Propaganda Department Public Information Section of the responsible person was confirmed, he said "these two days will not attend." Why were present for the previous three year absence, the official did not disclose.

Prior to the August 27, the State Bureau of Religious Affairs, said Chen Chao propaganda department staff, the State Bureau of Religious Affairs on August 10 received the report material on Shi Yongxin, Henan Province, and has been referred to the religious affairs department to verify the situation in accordance with relevant procedures, he He said: "The State Bureau of Religious Affairs will be treated in strict program."

July 25, claiming to be "on behalf of all of Shi malcontents" and "release justice", posted on the Internet called "Shaolin Temple abbot Shi Yongxin violation Buddhist precepts, womanizer," Shi Yongxin has two identity cards, there are mistress, there are illegitimate daughter. Then, the disciples who Shi, Shaolin Temple Shi Yan Lu, one of the four King Kong, and more than once in the temple life, workers, the real name to the Supreme People's Procuratorate, the Chinese Buddhist Association and the National Bureau of Religious Affairs in Beijing, August 8 three units report to submit material Shi Yongxin.

In addition, police officers in leadership positions Legal Evening News reported, Zhengzhou City Public Security Bureau and under the jurisdiction of the public security system, on suspicion of leaking "Shi Yongxin report" Ask (interrogation) transcripts were made "to stop carrying out their duties." Punishment superiors. Currently the responsible person is under further investigation.

At 1:47 on August 1, "Release justice" to send multiple copies include Shi and another female citizen police interrogation (ask) the record material to the news media, public disclosure of years ago, the public security organs to accept Shi report as well as the relevant parties to accept the internal data of the investigation.

After "Release justice" public record, the relevant media have publicly reported: Beijing Capital Law Firm lawyers said Dian school for "Release justice" exposed these transcripts should first confirm the authenticity. If the inquiry transcripts are true, then the criminal record is generally classified as state secrets, if it is related personnel leaked Zhengzhou public security organs, the person suspected of leaking state secrets intentionally or negligently, should be subject to administrative penalties, if the consequences are serious, may also be suspected of crimes. Rather than national staff may also be suspected of leaking state secrets intentionally or negligently, it can also suspected of illegally obtaining state secrets.

Some analysts pointed out that the information from the other side proved equal to Shi Yongxin greedy for money, fornication and other rumors of authenticity. And Shi such a small fly, can undergo two months of grill to fail, indicating that the background behind or backing very hard.

August 8, mainland Caixin entitled "Shi: one storm in the promotion of Buddhist path," the article. Article revealed some insider Shi started in the Shaolin Temple, and rarely directly named former CPC Central Committee Political Bureau Standing Committee Li Changchun. Yang Ning analysis of current affairs commentator, said Shi Yongxin is behind a major patron who ruled Henan Li Changchun, its origins and the Shaolin Temple is also deep. With Jiang faction's growing weakness, the presence of corruption, Shi Yongxin was resorted to moral defects is a matter of sooner or later.

[NTD September 14, 2015 Reuters

[wiz cool c]

I don't see a problem with it. The abbot recieved a fancy ride. Good for him. It doesn't make him a greedy person.

o they’re greedy alright ,that is why i prefer to train with the schools surrounding the main historical site. if you go there as a tourist you won’t understand all this. When i first came to china about 9 years ago for a training trip in Beijing i trained with a famous tai chi master. thought he was the sweetest human alive, when i returned to live there i met him ,saw the real guy, he was nasty mean and very greedy, wanted to charge me 6 times what his Chinese students pay, even i explained i live here now.[he could care less]

first trip we made to the shaolin temple, met a teacher living near us in shenzhen city,he is a shaolin brother of my teacher here]. he told us to contact his teacher, he will train us for free cause we know him give us special treatment, just need to give him the old [hong bao] sure enough when we talked to him on the phone he tried to give us the whole package deal with sight seeing included. again if you are visiting and want a nice experience it might be worth it, but as someone who lives in china believe me it is a big racket.


And yeah there is a problem with a monk driving a Rolls Royce. The whole concept of Buddhism is freeing yourself from desires of this world and living a simple life, not ot mention the example this shmuck is setting to the world as a representative of Buddhism and shaolin. If he was for real he would sell the car and use the proceeds for charity

[rett2]

Maybe the questions to ask yourself about a monastic or abbot are:

Would it feel like a beneficial and wholesome deed to support this person’s buddhist practice?

Would you turn to this person for spiritual advice?

I can think of many people who have chosen to become monastics who I can say yes about on both counts.

[GeneChing]

This is a long article so I will post it, plus the googtranslation, in chunks.

释永信事件，调查结果让真相渐渐浮出水面！ (http://mp.weixin.qq.com/s?__biz=MzA5NTY0NTkxMQ==&mid=209551551&idx=1&sn=6ae8270611774f69c51834f3b1446d7c&scene=5&srcid=0918EzmPMCwk5fVCdlFuPoTI#rd)
2015-09-17 枣庄佛光山法云寺 悟在当下

如果你是一个喜欢刷屏看新闻的人，肯定有印象最近俩月上头条最频繁的一定是释永信，先是“释正义”的几波有 节奏的爆料，准确的让每次爆料都上了头条；然后“释正义”匿迹，曾经的弟子释延鲁联合多人上京实名举报，再 掀波澜。

http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/mmbiz/b67wIdJZayEy8Web5MFTpnFy7RkSpTa3WVG9O8NfS6hBK6IVah lnA44iaswfEVIMejHuLFZfBNg8kV7pgiaRn71w/640?wx_fmt=jpeg&wxfrom=5&wx_lazy=1

此事的复杂性和迷惑性，让公众对答案相当期待。从少林寺所在地登封市政府到河南省委，从登封市宗教局到国家 宗教局，从登封市公安局到最高检；各级政府部门、宗教部门、佛教协会、最高检的这些名词都会引起公众侧目， 举报者对公众阅读喜好的精准把握让很多跨国组织都难以企及，不排除幕后有利益相关的专业策划团 队操盘。

时至今日，事件真相或许呼之欲出，中央的态度也渐渐明朗，自然会给公众一个负责任的调查结果。

一篇文章透露重大信号

9月2日，70周年阅兵式前夕，新华社刊发了俄罗斯总统普京的专访文章《俄中两国共同致力于捍卫二战历史真 相——访俄罗斯总统普京》，由于阅兵式大环境，媒体把这篇文章的关注点放在了阅兵式主题上，重点传播了普京 总统关于“有人企图篡改二战历史，挑衅性地要改变纽伦堡审判和东京审判的决定”的观点。

殊不知，这篇文章其实大有来头，据知情人士透露，文章并非新华社主动采访稿件，而是阅兵式前夕，高层领导通 过中共中央办公厅和外交部委托新华社对俄罗斯总统普京进行的独家采访，这也是来华参与阅兵式的各国领导中唯 一的专访稿件，政治意味值得琢磨。

中共中央办公厅和外交部主导的专访稿件，根据相关规定都需要中办领导乃至更高层领导进行审阅，俄罗斯作为中 国最重要的战略伙伴之一，而文章里的观点都代表着中央高层的意志和态度，这其中既有中俄外交关系的具体阐述 ，也有国际问题的一致看法，更巧妙的传达了有关于中央领导对少林寺事件判断的微妙态度。

http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/mmbiz/b67wIdJZayEy8Web5MFTpnFy7RkSpTa3dhu3ZZD4ndESg7Q66r X9r37yicPZGrKMq4ce1PRAE8Py2ClzNaLTOVg/640?wx_fmt=jpeg&wxfrom=5&wx_lazy=1
普京在专访中指出，中国继续珍视文化和历史传统，每一位来到中国的人简直是每走一步都会感受到这一点。他说 ，那些反映中国古老文明全貌的文化遗产具有特殊意义，2006年访华期间少林寺给他留下了难忘 印象。

通过上述内容，我们可以明白，少林寺是作为“反映中国古老文明全貌的文化遗产”的代表出现的，这一文化联想 的逻辑其实很容易理解——中国功夫被外国人看做是开启中国传统文化的钥匙，而提到中国功夫必然离不开少林寺 ，多数外国人真正直观地感受到少林武术的魅力，是从李小龙、成龙和李连杰主演的功夫电影开始的，上世纪80 年代那部著名的武侠电影《少林寺》更是使少林武术普遍深入人心，少林寺成为中国文化的一张名片而深入人心， 而这一中国文化的发扬和传播自然离不开近期备受关注的人物——释永信。

http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/mmbiz/b67wIdJZayEy8Web5MFTpnFy7RkSpTa35pbIvYw2q0s1gp84OD db8vwOxo6CdJkBeJnbxYy8OIpJXbhtMqx8TQ/640?wx_fmt=jpeg&wxfrom=5&wx_lazy=1
据了解，自释永信主持少林寺以来，少林在海外设置了6大分院，在柏林、伦敦等地直接办了40多家公司，另外 还间接办了一些公司，在50多个国家和地区建有专门研学少林功夫的学校和团体，海外弟子多达300万以上。 在某些方面，这些机构与孔子学院发挥着同样的作用——通过文化和语言弘扬中国的软实力，而且宣扬精神健康的 少林文化中心越来越受欢迎。这样的成就也得到了来自国家的认可和支持，而此次的举报事件也得到了世界媒体的 舆论关注。

http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/mmbiz/b67wIdJZayEy8Web5MFTpnFy7RkSpTa3EVXWuBkLZoQ2ibdJ6r t0ib0oyrqFPI3Rs6kR5muY1NciagcIAcWAI9zwg/640?wx_fmt=jpeg&wxfrom=5&wx_lazy=1
毋庸置疑，巨大的成就也不能成为腐败和违法的护身符，但是我们单撇开少林寺及释永信的巨大成就，就目前公开 的举报材料和观点来分析这个事件，也许能一窥究竟。

Goog translation:

Shi events, survey results so the truth gradually surfaced!
2015-09-17 Zaozhuang Wu Guang Shan Temple in the moment Fayun

If you are a scraper like watching the news, it will certainly have the impression that the recent two months the most frequent headlines must be Shi, first "interpretation of justice" several waves broke rhythmic and accurate so that every time the leaks headlines; then "Release justice" has disappeared, once a disciple of Shi Yan Lu to Beijing joint multiplayer real name, Waves.

The complexity of the matter and confusing for the public to answer quite looking forward to. From the Shaolin Temple in Dengfeng municipal government seat to the Henan provincial Religious Affairs from Dengfeng City, to the State Bureau of Religious Affairs, from Dengfeng City Public Security Bureau to the Supreme Procuratorate; all levels of government, religious authorities, Buddhist Association, Supreme Procuratorate of these terms will causing public eyebrows, whistleblowers public reading preferences accurate grasp so many multinational organizations are difficult to match, does not exclude the stakeholders behind the scenes manipulator of professional planning team.

Today, the truth may, in contrast, the attitude of the central gradually clear, naturally give the public a responsible findings.

An article revealed significant signal

September 2, the 70th anniversary of the parade on the eve of the Xinhua News Agency published an interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin's article "Russia and China work together to defend the historical truth of World War II - An Interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin", due to parade the environment, the media the focus of this article on the parade theme, focusing on the dissemination of views on President Vladimir Putin's "World War II was an attempt to tamper with history, provocative decision to change the Nuremberg and Tokyo trials," the.

As everyone knows, this article is in fact a great background, according to informed sources, the article does not take the initiative to Xinhua News Agency interview manuscript, but the parade on the eve of an exclusive interview with Xinhua News Agency commissioned by the senior leadership of Russian President Vladimir Putin made by the CPC Central Committee and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs The leaders, which is unique to China to participate in the parade interview manuscript, political meaning is worth pondering.

CPC Central Committee General Office and the Foreign Ministry-led interview manuscript, in accordance with the relevant provisions need to do even more senior leadership leadership for review, Russia, as one of the most important strategic partner of China, and the article's point of view represents the will of the central level and attitude, both of which specifically addressed the Sino-Russian diplomatic relations, but also consensus on international issues, and more subtly convey the central leadership of the Shaolin Temple about the event determining the subtle attitude.

In the interview, Putin pointed out that China continues to cherish cultural and historical tradition, every person is simply came to China every step feel it. He said that those that reflect the cultural heritage of the whole picture of Chinese ancient civilization has a special significance, the temple has left a memorable impression during the 2006 visit.

Through the above, we can understand that, as a representative of Shaolin "reflect the whole picture of China's ancient civilization and cultural heritage," the emergence of this cultural association logic is actually very easy to understand - Chinese martial arts are seen as foreigners turned traditional Chinese culture key, and mentioned that China can not be separated Shaolin kung fu, most foreigners Shaolin martial arts really intuitively feel the charm, from Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan and Jet Li kung fu movie starring the beginning of the 1980s that the Department of the famous martial arts movie "Shaolin Temple" is so widespread popular Shaolin martial arts, Shaolin Temple has become a business card of Chinese culture and deeply rooted, and carry forward the Chinese culture and the spread of the natural person is inseparable from the recent concern - Shi Yongxin.

It is understood that since the auspices of the Shaolin Temple Shi Yongxin, the Shaolin set up six large overseas branch, in Berlin, London and other places to do more than 40 companies directly, and also indirectly do a number of companies, built in more than 50 countries and regions There are specialized research study Shaolin kung fu schools and groups, as many as 300 million more overseas disciples. In some ways, these agencies and the Confucius Institute plays the same role - to carry forward China's soft power through culture and language, and to promote mental health center Shaolin culture increasingly popular. This success has also been recognized and support from the state, and this incident has also been reports of public opinion worldwide media attention.

Needless to say, great achievements can not become corrupt and illegal talisman, but we put aside the great achievements single and Shi Yongxin of Shaolin Temple, the current public reporting materials and perspectives to analyze this event, may be able to see what.

continued next post

[GeneChing]

释永信举报事件：一场关公战秦琼的乱战

7月25日以来，关于释永信的问题归纳起来集中在以下几点，举报材料看似证据确凿，但终究是一家之言，而且 从法律层面看举报材料的获取多有违法违规之处，真实性更待考证：

1、违反戒律问题：释延洁无生育能力，玩弄女人无确凿证据

举报人“释正义”表示“少林寺方丈 释永信 违反佛教戒律、玩弄女人” ，并表示 释永信 有两个身份证，且有情妇，并与多名女性育有儿女。“释正义”向有关媒体提交了证据，并称“如不实愿负法律责 任”。

但有一名熟悉释延洁的僧人表示，释延洁多年前因为生病，做过手术，早已经丧失了生育能力，释延洁手里有当年 在郑州就医的病历，因此说她生孩子纯属造谣。

2、迁单疑云：无论是否被迁单，释永信的主持身份合法

举报人“释正义”提供的数份复印件材料显示：1987年5月10日，释永信的师父、当时还健在的行正方丈在 给中国佛教协会的一封信中，曾历数释永信的不轨之处：“偷拿法卷”“对外接受采访时自称方丈”“出差虚报假 单据”“以二当家的身份到流通处拿东西”；1988年2月，中国佛教协会公函对少林寺相关事件做出回复，当 时行正已圆寂，当年4月23日，释永信的师叔祖、名誉方丈德禅做出释永信迁单的决定：“为了禅宗祖庭的荣誉 ，根据行正方丈的遗嘱，和现在永信的所作所为，对永信作出迁单的处理。”“释正义”展示的该文件复印件图片 上，还盖有“少林寺佛教管理委员会”的印章。

http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/mmbiz/b67wIdJZayEy8Web5MFTpnFy7RkSpTa3jgf45l38O7xLKcnoia RyOUIJpyaNAjyJgoOr0qO1uXmdEDwQL3GhicBA/640?wx_fmt=jpeg&wxfrom=5&wx_lazy=1

但是，无论释永信是否被迁单过，最后的方丈更迭中他继任了住持。1987年行正圆寂后，少林寺首座素喜继任 少林寺住持，1998年自住持位退居，由释永信继任住持。此后，释永信逐渐以少林寺方丈身份出任河南佛教协 会的会长， 中国佛教协会 的副会长，第九、十、十一、十二届全国人大代表等官方身份，说明释永信的少林寺方丈身份得到了国家认可，身 份来源具有合法性。

3、侵占少林寺财产：释永信代持80%股份，因少林寺无法人资格

抛开上述问题，本次举报最需要厘清的其实是少林寺的财产纠纷。2015年8月，媒体报道称中国嵩山少林寺方 丈释永信持河南少林无形资产管理有限公司80%股份，引发公众对释永信“侵吞少林寺资产”的质 疑。

8月11日，澎湃新闻获得的两份文件显示，因少林寺不具备法人资格，无法成为公司股东，所以由少林寺内部人 员代持（少林无形）股份。少林寺相关负责人称，两份文件是真实的。少林寺相关负责人称，少林寺没有法人资格 ，无法成为股东，但因释印松遗嘱指定受让人为少林寺，工商部门“没有办法”，才同意股权变更。

同时，各方记者在前往释永信原籍家庭中也没有发现亲属通过释永信获得直接利益的证据，其父母和兄弟在当地从 事普通职业，住房也为普通2层民宅，与当地居民并无相异。

由此，举报释永信非法侵占少林财产有利用少林寺产权的特殊性进行混淆视听的嫌疑。

迄今为止，我们看到的举报材料似乎是证据凿凿，但仍然疑点重重、没有公信力。而另一方面，以“释正义”和释 延鲁为代表的举报方，却遭受越来越多的质疑，举报方利益关系逐渐浮出水面。



goog trans:

Shi Report event: a 关公战秦琼 spared from war

Since July 25, Shi Yongxin questions about summed up focused on the following points, to report material seemingly conclusive evidence, but in the end is one of the words, but also from a legal perspective to obtain more illegal irregularities, the authenticity of the report material More to be verified:

1, in violation of the precepts of the problem: no fertility Shi Yan Jie, womanizer no conclusive evidence

Whistleblower "Release justice" means "Shaolin Temple abbot Shi Yongxin violation Buddhist precepts, playing a woman," and said Shi Yongxin has two identity cards, and there is a mistress and fathered children with several women. "Interpretation of justice" has submitted evidence to the media, saying, "If you do not wish to bear the legal responsibility real."

But there is a familiar monk Shi Yan Jie, said Shi Yan Jie years ago because of illness, had surgery, had already lost the ability to reproduce, hand Shi Yan Jie Zhengzhou medical treatment in those years in medical records, so that she is purely a child disinformation.

2, moved to a single Supremacy: whether to be moved to a single, Shi presided over the identity of legitimate

Number of copies material whistleblower "interpretation of justice" provided by: May 10, 1987, Master Shi Yongxin, was still alive in a letter to the Bank is abbot of the Buddhist Association of China, Zeng Yong enumerate release misconduct place the letter: "stole Act volume" "when claiming in an interview outside the abbot," "false false travel documents," the "underboss of identity to get something at the Circulation"; February 1988, the Buddhist Association of China-related letters to the Shaolin Temple Event respond, then the line being has passed away on April 23 that year, Shi Yongxin Shishu ancestors, honorary abbot Shi De Chan moved to make a single decision: "To honor Zen Buddhism, according to the Bank is the abbot wills, and is now doing the letter Wing, Wing letter to move to a single process. "On" interpretation of justice "shows a copy of the document image, but also the seal of" Shaolin Temple Buddhist management committee ".

However, regardless of whether the move monopersulfuric Shi Yongxin, abbot of the change in the final he succeeded the abbot. After the 1987 line being died, the Shaolin Temple abbot's first prime hi successor, Abbot bit relegated since 1998 by his successor abbot Shi Yongxin. Since then, gradually to Shaolin Temple abbot Shi Yongxin capacity as president of the Buddhist Association of Henan, the official as vice chairman of the China Buddhist Association, ninth, tenth, eleventh and 12th National People's Congress, etc., indicating Shi Yongxin of Shaolin Temple Abbot identity recognized by the State, the identity of the source of legitimacy.

3, the occupation of the temple property: Shi behalf of the holders of 80% of the shares, can not qualify because people Shaolin Temple

Despite these problems, this report need to clarify the fact that most property disputes Shaolin Temple. August 2015, the media reported that China Songshan Shaolin Temple abbot Shi Yongxin, Henan Shaolin intangible asset Management Ltd. holds 80% stake, triggering public Shi "plunder Shaolin assets" of the question.

August 11, two documents obtained by surging news show, because the temple does not have legal personality, can not become a shareholder of the company, so hold (Shaolin intangible) owned by internal staff on behalf of the Shaolin Temple. Shaolin responsible person, two documents are real. Shaolin responsible person, Shaolin Temple has no legal personality, can not become a shareholder, but the release will specify the transferee is a printed loose Shaolin Temple, the business sector "no way", had agreed to change of equity.

At the same time, the parties Reporter Shi went home in the family also found no evidence of relatives by Shi directly benefit their parents and brothers engaged in local general employment, housing also two layers of ordinary homes, not with local residents different.

Thus, the report Shi illegal occupation of property have use of the Shaolin Temple property particularity confuse the suspect.

So far, we have seen evidence Zaozao report material seems to be, but still many doubts, no credibility. On the other hand, to "release justice" and Shi Yan Lu as the representative of the reporting party, has suffered increasingly questioned, reported Fangli Yi relations gradually surfaced.

[GeneChing]

举报者：
“释正义”程序不正义，
释延鲁贪痴中毒

自举报事件以来，诸多举报合法性问题被指出。“释正义”名为实名举报，实则是匿名举报，举报材料中公布了疑 似释永信与人通奸的公安笔录。

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如果这份疑似笔录是假的，“释正义”造谣诽谤的罪名是逃不掉的，此外还涉嫌伪造公文等罪名，这份疑似笔录早 已有N个500转了，应该缉拿“释正义”归案。倘使有公务人员参与了伪造，应该开除公职并移交 司法。

如果这份疑似笔录是真的，问题就更严重了。大和尚有没有犯了淫戒，说到底与一般人也没什么关系，也不犯法。 但是公安机关的笔录信息被发布到网上，就违反了公安机关的法定义务：刑事诉讼法规定“对涉及个人隐私的证据 ，应当保密”。“释正义”公布的疑似释永信户籍信息，显示为阜阳市公安人口信息查询系统，这也是公安机关应 该保密的个人信息。

　　因此，不管释永信最后有没有问题，“释正义”公布疑似笔录与疑似释永信户籍信息的行为，都需要公安部门 展开调查。应该由上级公安部门或公安部介入调查。

此外，“释正义”与释延鲁的关系并没有表面上的那么简单，当日释延鲁在被怀疑是“释正义”时矢口否认，并表 示敬佩。同时已有迹象显示，“释正义”与释延鲁具有直接利益相关性，据新浪微博用户爆料， “释正义”是释延鲁的亲外甥蔡亮亮。

@何处惹尘埃:已经有媒体根据电话采访“释正义”的录音比对，高度怀疑“释正义”即释延鲁姐夫的儿子蔡亮亮 ，通过电话采访录音与蔡亮亮本人的录音比对，匹配度高达99%。如果“释正义”即释延鲁亲外甥，那就不难理 解为什么释正义与释延鲁的举报材料和内容高度一致，同时释延鲁上京举报后，“释正义”便消失匿 迹。

如果这一信息最终被证实为真，那释延鲁的举报材料的真实性就可疑了。更精彩的在于，释延鲁以个人名义到北京 实名举报释永信后，剧情却出现了大逆转。

自称释延鲁大徒弟的释恒英向成都商报记者出示了一份写给师父释延鲁的信，所谓的“不光彩的历史”是指释延鲁 有两个老婆的事。但这件事释延鲁并未向少林坦白，后来释延鲁和原配离婚，把第二个女人接到武术学校，至今仍 在一起。记者也注意到，此前指向释延鲁的“少林三十人声明”称，释延鲁是1993年到少林，之后离婚又再婚 ，并因婚姻问题被少林寺迁单。

此外，一封名为“关于少林武僧团培训基地的情况反映”举报信也反映少林武僧团培训基地及释延鲁违法占地、消 防隐患、偷税漏税、涉黑滋事等多宗罪。

举报材料称，2005年，释延鲁以少林武僧团培训基地名义，在登封市禅武大道以西，少林大道以北置地八百余 亩扩建武校，然而事隔十余年，该地块至今荒草丛生，迟迟不见动工，大片土地撂荒严重，周边群众及单位怨声载 道。

反映材料还表示，释延鲁打着少林寺的名义成立少林寺武僧团培训基地，实际该校与少林寺没有任何关系。同时， 释延鲁已还俗早已不是僧人，他却在接待外宾及重要客人的时候，身着僧袍，自诩少林僧人，严重损毁了少林寺及 佛教的名誉和形象，同时也深深伤害了出家僧众及在家信徒的宗教感情。

而后，一位自称释延鲁师兄弟的知情人也爆料，释延鲁是登封一霸，不少师兄弟都因办武校分流其生源受他威胁过 ，只能回老家办校，不敢留在登封。释延鲁的举报正义性受到越来越多的质疑，其个人的利益关系网渐渐浮出水面 ，事件逐渐明朗化。

上述关于公安机关笔录和户籍信息的泄露问题，当地公安部门难辞其咎。南都记者从河南省公安厅处采访得知，登 封市公安局副局长范建伟因涉嫌收受释延鲁贿赂二十万已经遭双规，涉嫌偷出笔录供释延鲁等人使用。同时据当地 人透露，登封市长乔耸与释延鲁关系密切，被称“走得很近且称兄道弟”。

同时，举报人王永华也开始进入公众视野，记者采访到一位熟悉释永信、释延鲁及王永华的河南本地人，他说策划 此事的极有可能是王永华，其是北京人，混迹于政府机关及三教九流，极具蛊惑能力。

网上资料显示，王永华曾因盗抢行为被刑事立案，其曾于2012年6月28日盗抢巴如意凌志越野470吉普（ 价值147万），以及车上名人字画13幅（价值300万元）等情况。

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googtrans

Whistleblower:
"Interpretation of justice" program is not justice,
Shi Yan Lu greedy crazy poisoning

Since the reported incident, the problem has been pointed out many report legality. "Interpretation of justice" called real name, but in reality is anonymous, report material published suspected Shi adultery police transcript.

If this record is a suspected fake, "Release justice" slander charges of escape, in addition to charges of alleged forged documents, this record has long been suspected of N 500 turn, you should catch the "interpretation of justice" to justice . It would help if there are public servants involved in the forgery should be dismissed and handed over to justice.

If this record is really suspected, the problem is even more serious. Japan still is not guilty of the Yin Jie, after all and most people have no relationship, nor break the law. But the record information to be released to the public security organs online, breach of statutory duty public security organs: the Criminal Procedure Code provides that "evidence related to personal privacy, shall be kept confidential." "Interpretation of justice" published suspected Shi household registration information, personal information displayed Fuyang City Police population information system, which is the public security organs should be confidential.

Therefore, regardless of Shi finally there is no problem, "Release justice" published transcripts of suspected acts of suspected Shi household registration information, the public security departments are required to investigate. Should be involved in the investigation by the police department or the higher MPS.

In addition, the "Release justice" relationship with Shi Yan Lu is not so simple on the surface, the day Shi Yan Lu is suspected to be in when "Release justice" denied, and expressed admiration. At the same time there are signs that the "interpretation of justice" and the Shi Yan Lu has a direct correlation between interest, according to Sina microblogging users broke the news, "interpretation of justice" is the pro-nephew Shi Yan Lu Cai bright.

@ First.where: have the media based on telephone interviews with recording "interpretation justice" than the right, a high degree of suspicion "interpretation of justice" that Shi Yan Lu brother's son Cai shiny, through telephone interviews with recording and Cai shiny own recordings comparison, Match up to 99%. If the "Release justice" that the pro-nephew Shi Yan Lu, it is not difficult to understand why the release of Justice Shi Yan Lu highly consistent with the material and content of the report, while Yan Lu to Beijing after release the report, "Release justice" disappeared into hiding.

If this information is eventually proved to be true, the truth that Shi Yan Lu reports on suspicious material. More exciting is that the Shi Yan Lu in his own name to Beijing to report real name after Shi Yongxin, the story has appeared reversal.

Self-proclaimed disciple of Shi Yan Lu large release Hengying to the Chengdu Chinese Commercial News reporters Chu Shi and Le Yifen Master Shi Yan Lu wrote a letter, called "disgraceful history" refers Shi Yan Lu has two wives do. But this thing Shi Yan Lu did not confess to Shaolin, Shi Yan Lu and later divorced his first wife, the second woman received a martial arts school, is still together. Reporters also noted that, after the point of Shi Yan Lu "Shaolin thirty people declare," said Shi Yan Lu is 1993 to Shaolin, divorce and remarriage, and the temple was moved because of marital problems alone.

In addition, one called "Shaolin Monks group training base on the case reflected" reported the letter also reflects the Shaolin Monks group training base and Shi Yan Lu law covering, fire hazard, tax evasion, and other crimes involving the Mafia trouble.

To report material, said in 2005, Shi Yan Lu Shaolin Monks group training base in the name, in the west of Dengfeng City Zen Wu Avenue, north of Avenue Landmark eight hundred acres of Shaolin Martial Arts School expansion, but a lapse of more than ten years, the land Block has overgrown weeds, still have not seen commence serious large tracts of land fallow, and the people around the unit complaining.

Reflecting material also said that the name of the name of Shaolin Temple Shi Yan Lu founded Shaolin Monks group training base, the actual school and Shaolin Temple does not have any relationship. Meanwhile, Shi Yan Lu had not been disrobed monk, he was at the time of receiving foreign dignitaries and important guests, dressed in robes, boasted Shaolin monks, seriously damaged the reputation and image of the Shaolin Temple and Buddhism, but also deeply hurt the monk monks and religious feelings of believers at home.

Thereafter, one claiming Shi Yan Lu fellow insider also broke the news, Shi Yan Lu is a tyrant Dengfeng, are due to do a lot of fellow military school students split their threatened by him, only to return home to do school, not stay in Dengfeng. Shi Yan Lu justice of reports questioned by more and more, their personal interests networks gradually surfaced, the event gradually become clear.

It said the public security authorities on leak transcripts and household registration information, the local public security departments to blame. Southern reporters learned from the Public Security Department of Henan Province, Dengfeng City Public Security Bureau deputy director 范建伟 Shi Yan Lu on suspicion of accepting bribes has been detained for interrogation two hundred thousand, suspected of stealing a record for Shi Yan Lu et al use. Meanwhile, according to local sources, Dengfeng Mayor Joe Song and Shi Yan Lu close to being called "very close and fraternizing."

Meanwhile, Wang Yonghua informants have begun to enter the public eye, the reporter interviewed a familiar Shi, Shi Yan Wang Yonghua Lu and Henan native, he said the matter of planning is very likely that Wang Yonghua, it is from Beijing, it was removed in government agencies and everyday, great ability to confuse.

Online information, Wang Yonghua Zengyin robbery acts are criminal case which had June 28, 2012 robbery Pakistan wishful Lexus Jeep off-road 470 (worth 1.47 million), and the car celebrity pictures 13 ($ 300 million) and so on.

continued next post

[GeneChing]

沾污中华文化符号，
一报还一报

综上所述，目前信息纷纷扰扰、利益关系异常复杂，但并无确凿证据判断释永信触犯法律和佛教戒律，但举报者通 过把私人利益问题、佛教、法律问题与当下中国反腐问题混淆在一起，“成功”的引起了关注，并对少林寺的声誉 造成了巨大影响。

其实，最核心的困难是即使这些证据都是真的，但释永信方丈是否触犯国家法律还不能确定，因为这些举报材料涉 及的核心是其是否触犯了佛教戒律，与中国法律和中央反腐似乎并没有多大的关系。

举报者公开举报的这些材料需要官方和法律做出最后的裁决；举报者自身的利益纠纷问题和程序正义问题也需要进 行彻查，而与少林寺利益瓜葛太深的登封地方政府显然不适合担任调查职责。

释永信被举报后，其财务、个人生活等各方面已引起中国媒体的极大关注。外媒认为，在中共最高领导层大举清理 官场贪腐问题，希望以此整肃社会风气，树立清风正气形象的同时，事关少林寺这一中华文化符号的任何负面新闻 ，应该都会受到当局的高度重视。

释延鲁举报看似占尽上风，实则作茧自缚；释永信“不辩解脱”策略高明，以不变应万变。真应了二战期间，日本 大举进攻中国，来势汹汹，但战略失误，终要品尝失败的苦果。

事件爆发以来，河南省委成立了以省委书记郭庚茂牵头、省公安厅厅长许甘露等为成员的高规格调查组。众所周知 ，郭庚茂与许甘露都有与中央高层领导共事经历，在十八大后被委以重任，符合中央的施政价值观和执政理念。相 信调查组会破除地方、部门利益纠纷，从全国宗教界统战思维、维护中国文化符号正面形象的大局观出发，给海内 外公众一个真实的、负责任的调查结果。

原文标题：“中央透露释永信事件信号，“不辩解脱”策略高明”

作者：霍兆祥，澳大利亚华侨，作家,著名时事评论员。曾在中国人民解放军总政治部服役,从事新闻工作;退役 后曾在电台、报社任记者、主编;目前主要从事文学创作、时评写作，对中国传统文化有深刻的洞察 。

http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/mmbiz/b67wIdJZayEy8Web5MFTpnFy7RkSpTa3CksAePq7a8H12z6g3A vqPVrudwiaShSlnXkibBqeVqkyeJShNyINb8qg/0?wx_fmt=gif&wxfrom=5&wx_lazy=1

googtrans

Contamination of Chinese cultural symbols,
Tit for Tat

In summary, the current information chaos, interest is very complex, but there is no conclusive evidence to determine Shi violated the law and the Buddhist precepts, but the whistleblower by private interests, Buddhism, Chinese anti-corruption legal problems with the current problems confusion Together, "success" caused concern, and the reputation of the Shaolin Temple caused a huge impact.

In fact, the core of the problem is that even if the evidence is true, but whether abbot Shi Yongxin violated state law can not be determined, because the core material relates to these reports is that it is an offense under the Buddhist precepts, it seems China anti-corruption laws and central and there is not much relationship.

Whistleblower public reporting of these materials require official and legal to make a final decision; whistleblower own interests disputes and procedural justice also needs to be a thorough investigation, and deep connection with the Shaolin Temple in Dengfeng interests of local governments is clearly unfit investigation duties.

Shi is the report, in all aspects of its finances, personal life, etc., have caused great concern to the Chinese media. Foreign media that the Chinese Communist Party's top leadership to clean up the massive corruption in officialdom, hoping to purge the social values, establish breeze upright image, while any negative news related to the temple symbol of the Chinese culture, will be highly valued by the authorities .

Shi Yan Lu reported seemingly gained the upper hand, but in reality cocoon; Shi "no excuse off" policy wise, maintaining the status quo. During World War II really should, Japanese large-scale attack China, menacing, but strategic mistakes, and finally to taste the bitterness of failure.

Since the outbreak, the Henan Provincial Committee set up by the provincial party secretary Guo Geng Mao led the provincial Public Security Minister Xu mannose as the members of the high-profile investigation team. As we all know, Guo Geng Mao and Xu manna has worked with the Central senior leadership experience, at eighteen after being entrusted with the task, in line with the policy of the central values ​​and governing philosophy. I believe the investigation team would get rid of local, departmental interests disputes, united front from all religious thinking, maintain a positive image of Chinese cultural symbols of the bigger picture view, to the public at home and abroad a real, accountable findings.

Original title: "Central disclose Shi event signal," No excuse off the "smart strategy"

Author: Huozhao Xiang, Australia Overseas, writer, well-known commentator. People's Liberation Army General Political Department was in service, in journalism; after retirement worked in radio, newspaper as a reporter, editor; now mainly engaged in literature, writing commentary on the Chinese traditional culture has a profound insight.
I suspect this isn't the end of it, but it does give a sense how this particular scandal might end.

[GeneChing]

Shaolin abbott absent from public sphere after gov't probe rumors (http://www.wantchinatimes.com/news/content?id=20150928000022&cid=1103)
Staff Reporter 2015-09-28 10:22 (GMT+8)

http://www.wantchinatimes.com/newsphoto/2015-09-28/450/C805N0094H_2015%E8%B3%87%E6%96%99%E7%85%A7%E7%89%8 7_N22F_N71_copy1.JPG
Shaolin Temple abbot, Shi Yongxin. (Photo/CNS)

Shaolin Temple abbot Shi Yongxin, who is rumored to be under investigation after one of his disciples, Shi Yanlu, accused him of fathering several children out of wedlock and embezzling money, was absent from the Shaolin Temple's public activities in Henan, reports online Buddhist news portal mediaWujie.com.

Shi Yongxin did not appear at a the temple's graduation ceremony for a 3-month summer course given to African students learning martial arts and Chinese culture, a course organized by China's Ministry of Culture. An insider claimed that the abbott is in Beijing for a health check and was unable to deliver his speech.

Shi Yanlu is also in Beijing, according to the report. His spokesman said that Shi Yanlu will not return to the Shaolin Temple in Henan province until the official investigation into the abbott is released.

An analyst said that Shi Yongxin is one of the most important figures in the Shaolin Temple and that he usually celebrates important occassions with public appearances. His appearance during Mid-Autumn festivities, a Chinese holiday that lands on Sept. 27, will be an important signal as to the progress of the ongoing investigation.

References:

Shi Yongxin　　釋永信

Shi Yanlu　　釋延魯

The The 4th Shaolin Cultural Festival (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?68641-The-4th-Shaolin-Cultural-Festival-San-Francisco-CA-Oct-8-11-2015&p=1287131#post1287131) starts next week. I will be very excited to see if the Abbot shows.

[breeze]

The The 4th Shaolin Cultural Festival (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?68641-The-4th-Shaolin-Cultural-Festival-San-Francisco-CA-Oct-8-11-2015&p=1287131#post1287131) starts next week. I will be very excited to see if the Abbot shows.

.... and it might be even more exciting, if Shi Yanjie again is among the abbot's "entourage". It seems, that she still didn't return to China. Maybe she is still at the "Shaolin Kungfu Meditation Temple of Australia" in Cabramatta (althought the pictures that showed her there during a public ceremony together with the abbot, suddenly disappeared from the institution's homepage).

The easiest way for Shi Yongxin to proof, that he is not the father of Han Jiaen, would be a DNA-test, but he refuses to do one. According to his spokesman Zheng Shumin, this would be against the abbot's honour. Of course, a buddhist abbot as a "quasi-Buddha" is beyond any worldly proof. Ancient arguments.

See: http://news.xwh.cn/2015/1001/347298.shtml

Gene, thanks for the reference of the Xinhua-Putin-interview, it was very interesting!

[GeneChing]

Word is he is not coming to the festival. We'll know for sure by the end of this week.



Shaolin abbot Shi Yongxin resurfaces at Chinese temple, months after claims of misconduct (http://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/1864028/shaolin-abbot-shi-yongxin-resurfaces-chinese-temple-months-after)
PUBLISHED : Sunday, 04 October, 2015, 11:04pm
UPDATED : Sunday, 04 October, 2015, 11:04pm
Li Jing jing.li@scmp.com

http://cdn4.scmp.com/sites/default/files/styles/486x302/public/2015/10/04/8fe926e7204c0822c22ed721c49e7cd2.jpg?itok=8-_h9Tzv
Shaolin Temple abbot Shi Yongxin has been followed by controversy. Photo: AFP

Scandal-plagued Shaolin Temple abbot Shi Yongxin made his first public appearance in months on Saturday, addressing 30 pilgrims at the temple in Henan province amid allegations of fraud and sexual misconduct.

Shi told the pilgrims to focus more on spiritual development and less on physical indulgence because "human bodies are temporary but the spirit is immortal", China News Service reported on Sunday.

"Those who have faith are the happiest," he was quoted as saying.

In July, Shi, the "CEO monk" who heads the famed temple, was accused by a former disciple of fathering several children out of wedlock and embezzling money.

Under the pseudonym of "Shi Zhengyi", the accuser claimed the abbot was kicked out of the temple in the late 1980s, had multiple identities, had sexual relations with several women and even fathered their children, offering copies of documents as evidence.

A week later, the State Administration for Religious Affairs ordered its Henan bureau to conduct "checks" into the matter.

https://www.scmp.com/sites/default/files/styles/486w/public/2015/10/04/shaolin.jpg?itok=OkGKy0eb
Young monks offer prayers outside the Shaolin Temple in Dengfeng, Henan province. Photo: AP

The Buddhist Association of China, of which Shi is a vice-chairman, said the matter "had affected the image and reputation of Chinese Buddhism".

Speculation over Shi's fate mounted in late July when he failed to turn up at a religious gathering in Thailand, but the temple's public relations officer denied Shi was ever under investigation.

News portal Thepaper.cn reported that Shi Yongxin was in Beijing for physical exam late last month and returned to the temple on September 30.

Shi Yongxin, who has a master's degree in business administration and is often spotted using an iPhone, is no stranger to controversy. The delegate to the National People's Congress has previously been accused of turning the temple into a cash cow at the expense of the integrity of religious instruction, such as renting the venue to filmmakers.

In 2006, Shi came under public scrutiny for accepting a luxury car from the local government for his contribution to tourism.

In March this year, he and the temple came under fire again for a plan to build a US$297 million hotel complex in Australia that would include a temple, a live-in kung fu academy and a golf course.

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as Scandal-dogged Shaolin abbot reappears in public

[GeneChing]

This is from Shaolin Temple's official website.


Statement of Shaolin Europe Association (http://www.shaolin.org.cn/templates/EN_T_newS_list/index.aspx?nodeid=295&page=ContentPage&contentid=15020)
Release Date：2015-08-03

In view of the negative reports on Shi Yongxin, abbot of China Songshan Shaolin Temple, on the Internet recently, Shaolin Europe Association, on behalf of all of its members, now issues the following statements:

1.Many negative reports on Master Shi Yongxin, such as he has the alleged mistresses, illegitimate children in Germany and private accounts, are totally baseless.

2.Master Shi Yongxin has spared no efforts to visit Europe with Shaolin delegation for spreading Shaolin culture for years, and he was beloved by European disciples for his great contributions in disseminating Shaolin culture.

3.Without Master Shi Yongxin's efforts, Chinese traditional culture, represented by Shaolin culture, can not develop so fast and get accepted by the mainstream society in Europe.

Shaolin Europe Association hopes that Chinese authorities can make a fair investigation into the relevant issues to ensure the positive development of Shaolin culture abroad.


Shaolin Europe Association
August 3, 2015

[GeneChing]

Shaolin temple accuser resurfaces as graft probe continues
Staff Reporter 2015-10-07 15:09 (GMT+8)

http://www.wantchinatimes.com/newsphoto/2015-10-07/450/C824N0027H_2015%E8%B3%87%E6%96%99%E7%85%A7%E7%89%8 7_N71_copy1.JPG
Shi Yongxin prays for world peace, Aug. 24, 2015. (Photo/CNS)

The former Shaolin Temple employee who demanded a corruption probe into the temple's abbot, Shi Yongxin, has resurfaced after nearly two months in hiding.

Shi Yanlu, who has taken precepts but is not a monk, recently sought out Shanghai-based news outlet the Paper for an interview after "disappearing" in early August, shortly after he and five other monks or employees from the famous kung fu temple in central China's Henan province headed to Beijing to provide authorities with evidence of Shi Yongxin's alleged misdeeds.

Though Shi Yanlu has repeatedly denied that he is "Shi Zhengyi" — literally "Justice Shi" — the mysterious whistleblower who first leveled allegations of corruption against Shi Yongxin, their accusations are largely similar. These include that the abbot had embezzled money from the temple, holds multiple identities, fathered children with at least two women, owns at least a dozen luxury cars with custom license plates, and was actually disrobed as a monk back in the 1980s.

In the interview released on Oct. 4, Shi Yanlu said he remains in Beijing has been cooperating with the investigative team looking into the Shi Yongxin case, but refused to divulge the department and leading officials in charge of the probe.

Shi Yanlu said he has been under great pressure since he decided to speak out against the Shi Yongxin, noting that he has been subject to numerous threats and attacks, including rumors that he himself has two wives.

Due to the large amount of allegations, it is not unusual for the investigation to take more than two months, Shi Yanlu said, adding that he believes the government will act in accordance with the law and deal with the allegations in a fair and equitable manner.

Meanwhile, Shi Yongxin, who denies all the allegations against him, has continued to take part in temple life as usual. Though he also "disappeared" after attending the Sept. 3 military parade in Beijing to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, Shi Yongxin reappeared on Oct. 3 to meet with a delegation of about 30 disciplines at the temple. A temple spokesperson said the abbot had been in Beijing over the past month for health checks.

Last month, Zhang Lebin, a senior official at the State Administration for Religious Affairs, was placed under a probe by anti-graft authorities. Zhang is said to have been regularly involved in Shaolin Temple activities and allegedly has close links to Shi Yongxin.

References:

Shi Yongxin　　釋永信

Shi Yanlu　　釋延魯

Shi Zhengyi　　釋正義

Zhang Lebin　　張樂斌

This is getting really weird.

[breeze]

Seems like it's Beijing, where the lawyers and the most important "guanxi" are - for both parties.

[GeneChing]

释永信被举报后93天9次公开亮相(图) (http://news.sina.com.cn/c/nd/2015-10-26/doc-ifxizwsi5625373.shtml)
2015年10月26日22:22 新京报

http://n.sinaimg.cn/transform/20151026/CY3c-fxkaiqx4293517.jpg

　　10月24日，第四届世界佛教论坛在江苏无锡开幕。今年7月遭遇“举报门”的少林寺方丈释永信，身穿一 身黄色僧袍现身会场。

　　“政事儿”（微信ID：gcxxjgzh）初步统计，这是7月25日遭遇“举报门”93天来，释永信第 9次公开亮相。

　　7 月25日，一则《少林寺方丈释永信这只大老虎，谁来监督？》网贴，令释永信陷入举报风波。“政事儿”（微信 ID：gcxxjgzh）注意到，自此至今93 天来，释永信本人在“举报门”事件初期，有3次非正式亮相。然后9次在法会等活动中公开亮相，有媒体报道称 ，公开亮相的释永信“像什么事也没发生，谈笑风 生”。

　　3次非公开亮相，回应“举报风波”

　　“政事儿”（微信ID：gcxxjgzh）注意到，“举报门”发生后，自7月25日至8月2日，释永信 在媒体报道中有3次非正式亮相，作出“自己经得起考验”等回应。

　　“不做亏心事，不怕鬼敲门”

　　7月25日，一位自称少林寺弟子“释正义”的人发网贴《少林寺方丈释永信这只大老虎，谁来 监督？》。

　　“政事儿”（微信ID：gcxxjgzh）注意到，公开报道显示，7月27日接受采访时，释永信首次对 举报作出回应表示：不做亏心事，不怕鬼敲门，自己经得起考验，少林寺已经报警，他本人不愿意再说什么，期待 公安机关的调查结论。

　　“这次一定做个了断”

　　继7月25日的网贴之后，“释正义”连日接力举报爆料。7月31日，少林寺外联办相关负责人接受采访时 回应称：面对各种所谓的举报和质疑，要让法律说话，方丈也表示：这次一定做个了断，给社会各界人士方方面面 都有个交代。

　　“少林寺没有问题，我释永信本人也没有问题”

　　8月2日，释永信未能按照既定日程，出席泰国的“少林丝路行”活动。少林无形资产管理有限公司总经理钱 大梁接受“政事儿”（微信ID：gcxxjgzh）采访时说，释永信缺席泰国活动是因为宗教部门调查组进驻 少林寺，释永信接待调查组。

　　“政事儿”（微信ID：gcxxjgzh）注意到，8月2日这一天，在媒体的报道中，释永信有一次非正 式亮相。当天清早，对于有弟子问“师父怎么没去泰国参加展演”一事，释永信告诉弟子们，事务缠身，临时决定 不去了。针对举报风波，释永信和几位高僧一起向众弟子释疑。据释永信的弟子讲述，释永信称：“少林寺没有问 题，我释永信本人也没有问题，请众弟子相信。”

　　9次公开亮相，在法会等活动中现身

　　“政事儿”（微信ID：gcxxjgzh）统计，自8月2日至今，释永信至少有9次公开亮相，在法会等 活动中现身。8月和10月较为密集，8月公开亮相5次，10月到今天为止已有3次。而9月仅1次，“隐身” 20余天。

　　公开亮相1：给归山朝拜的“洋弟子”开示

　　“政事儿”（微信ID：gcxxjgzh）注意到，8月11日，释永信出席了海外弟子的归山朝拜仪式。 初步统计，此系“释正义”遭遇“举报门”后，释永信的首次公开亮相。

　　当天，归山朝拜少林寺的近百“洋弟子”，以中国传统礼仪顶礼跪拜了释永信，双手合十恭请释 永信开示。

　　少林寺常驻僧人接受新京报记者采访时表示：师傅（释永信）近期一直在寺内主持日常工作，每天也会接待外 来访客，也会参与早晨的诵经，但拒绝接受媒体采访，“围绕少林寺的舆论很多，但师傅还在寺院里，寺院工作一 切如常，不会像外界猜测的有多乱。”

　　公开亮相2：为天津港爆炸死伤者诵经祈福

　　8 ·12天津港爆炸事故发生后，释永信两次主持法会，为死伤者诵经祈福。

　　据少林寺官方消息：8月13日下午，少林寺为近日事故的罹难者举行了超荐法会。8月14日凌晨，在方丈 释永信法师的率领下，少林寺僧俗两众齐聚，为近日事故的受伤者举行了消灾祈福法会。

　　据南方周末报道，就在8月14日祈福早课后，释永信去往斋堂用餐。记者上前问他，“你现在还反对上市吗 ？”他面无表情地从鼻腔吐出一声，“哼”。

　　公开亮相3：出席“剧组和释永信恳谈会”

　　8月17日上午，河南少林寺山门外，河南卫视举办了《少林英雄》节目新闻发布会。发布会后，《少林英雄 》栏目组走入少林寺方丈室，参加“剧组和释永信恳谈会”。

　　据参加恳谈会的媒体记者报道，释永信介绍了自己的近况，工作一直很忙：一是来访的外宾较多，与中西方专 家探讨中西文化交流。二是，正在策划海峡两岸佛教文化论坛。三是，他正在筹划少林寺办一所学校的事宜，筹划 如何通过少林寺办学，好好把传统民族文化传承下去。

　　报道称：30多分钟的恳谈会，释永信气色很好，心静平和。面对近期的“举报”谣传，释永信像什么事也沒 发生，谈笑风生。

　　　公开亮相4：身披袈裟为吉祥塔揭幕

　　出席“剧组和释永信恳谈会”3天后，释永信再次在首届海峡两岸青年佛教论坛上现身，身披袈裟为在少林寺 落成的世界和平吉祥塔揭幕，并与来自海峡两岸多家寺院高僧一起为世界和平祈福。

　　这次论坛，经过了河南省宗教局的批准，批准函被印刷在活动手册的内页里。河南省宗教局副局长郭国志也坐 在了开幕式的嘉宾席上。在活动现场，释永信还发表了简短讲话。

　　公开亮相5：现身少林“问禅”活动

　　出席首届海峡两岸青年佛教论坛次日，也就是8月21日，最高检受理了对释永信的举报。“政事儿”（微信 ID：gcxxjgzh）注意到，释永信8月24日出现在第十届“少林问禅之机锋·辨·禅”开幕式 上。

　　据佛教在线消息，活动开始前，首先举行了祈福法会，由释永信主法。开幕式上，释永信致辞。此外，由释永 信主编的《禅宗大典》发布会在开幕式上举行，释永信和绍云长老为《禅宗大典》揭幕。

　　公开亮相6：举行法会纪念抗战70周年

　　9月3日纪念抗战胜利70周年当天，少林寺举行了大型祈福法会。

　　据少林寺官网消息：9月3日凌晨五点，释永信率寺院两序大众在大雄宝殿隆重举行“纪念中国人民抗日战争 暨世界反法西斯战争胜利七十周年祈福法会。”

　　公开亮相7：“隐身”29天后现身“重走达摩路”活动

　　“政事儿”（微信ID：gcxxjgzh）发现，9月3日后，释永信“隐身”了29天，缺席了嵩山论坛 2015年年会、“文化部第三届少林功夫非洲学员班”结业典礼等重要活动。对此，坊间传闻不断，少林寺相关 人士接受媒体采访时表示：释永信还在北京检查身体。

　　正当传闻盛嚣尘上时，释永信于10月2日出现在“重走达摩路”活动现场。

　　据少林寺官网消息，自2014年少林寺都市禅堂发起“重走达摩路”、“行脚朝圣，路在当下”活动，至今 已举办四届。国庆期间，少林寺都市禅堂朝圣团一行30人，经中岳庙、启母阙、嵩阳书院，“徒步行脚”至少林 寺。少林寺官网称：10月2日，上完早课，行脚朝圣团一行与释永信在少林寺课堂进行交流。

　　公开亮相8：会见韩国通度寺少林寻根团

　　10月2日公开亮相后，释永信再度“隐身”了18天，之后于10月20日上午，在少林寺方丈室会见了由 世峰大师率领的韩国通度寺（曹溪宗）少林寻根团。世峰大师赠送少林寺“百济金铜大香炉”，释永信则回赠世峰 大师“达摩像”。

　　本次会见拍摄的图片显示，释永信身穿黄色僧袍，面带笑容，一如往常。

　　公开亮相9：第四届世界佛教论坛拒谈“举报门”

　　“政事儿”（微信ID：gcxxjgzh）注意到，10月24日的第四届世界佛教论坛，规格很高：中共 中央政治局常委、全国政协主席俞正声发来贺信；中共中央政治局委员、中央统战部部长孙春兰出席论坛开幕式并 致辞；江苏省委书记罗志军致欢迎辞。

　　出席这次论坛的官员还有全国人大常委会原副委员长许嘉璐、国家宗教局局长王作安等。

　　据 媒体报道：10月24日7点30分左右，释永信一身黄色僧袍出现在梵宫前，面色显得凝重，步入妙音堂后，先 后与中国佛教协会副会长宗性法师等人打了简短招 呼。入座后，释永信将红色袈裟套上身，在长达近4个小时的开幕式上，释永信并没有与周围人有太多交流。活动 结束后，释永信将红色袈裟脱去，走出妙音堂，一 路与多名僧侣进行简短的交流。

　　这次论坛为期两天，释永信没有在开闭幕上进行公开发言，也没有在14场分论坛有公开发言。论坛闭幕式结 束后，有记者上前追问关于“举报门”的问题，释永信连用了两个“不行”、“不行”，匆匆离开。

　　“政事儿”（微信ID:gcxxjgzh）撰稿：新京报记者 王姝

更多猛料！欢迎扫描下方二维码关注新浪新闻官方微信(xinlang-xinwen)。

googtrans next post

[GeneChing]

the googtrans version:


Shi was reported after 93 days nine public appearance (Figure)
At 22:22 on October 26, 2015 Beijing News

October 24, the Fourth World Buddhist Forum in Wuxi, Jiangsu opened. July this year, suffered a "report gate" Shaolin Temple abbot Shi Yongxin, wearing a yellow robes appeared venue.

"Political thing" (Micro-letter ID: gcxxjgzh) preliminary statistics, which is July 25 encounter the "Disclosure" 93 days, the Shi 9th public.

July 25, a "Shaolin Temple abbot Shi Yongxin this big tiger, who is watching? "Internet postings, so Shi report into the storm. "Political thing" (Micro-letter ID: gcxxjgzh) noted that, since so far to 93 days, Shi himself at the beginning of the "report" incident, three informal appearance. Then nine times in France and other activities in public appearances, media reports said Shi Yongxin public appearance of "like nothing had happened, laughing."

3 non-public appearance, in response to the "Report storm"

"Political thing" (Micro-letter ID: gcxxjgzh) noted that after the "Disclosure" occurred, from July 25 to August 2, Shi Yongxin has three informal appearances in the media reports, to make "themselves by too From test "and other responses.

"I do not do good conscience, afraid of ghosts knocking at the door."

July 25, a self-proclaimed disciple of Shaolin "interpretation of justice" who hairnet paste "Shaolin Temple abbot Shi Yongxin this big tiger, who is watching? . "

"Political thing" (Micro-letter ID: gcxxjgzh) noted, public reports indicate that when the July 27 interview, Shi Yongxin first responded to reports, said: do not do good conscience, afraid of ghosts knocking at the door, stand the test of their own Shaolin Temple had been reported, he do not want to say anything, expect the findings of the public security organs.

"This must be a break."

Following the network posted July 25, the "Release justice" Relay Report broke the news the past few days. July 31, the Shaolin Temple outside the Liaison Office of the relevant person in charge of an interview, responded that: the face of a variety of so-called report and questioned, let the law speak, the abbot said: this must be a break, to all aspects of the community good show.

"Shaolin is no problem, I have no problem myself Shi"

August 2, according to the established schedule Shi failed to attend Thailand's "Shaolin Silk Road" activities. Shaolin, general manager of the money management of intangible assets beams Ltd. accepted "political thing" (Micro-letter ID: gcxxjgzh) interview, said Shi Yongxin, Thailand activities are absent because of religious department investigation team stationed in the Shaolin Temple, Shi received the investigation team.

"Political thing" (Micro-letter ID: gcxxjgzh) noted that on August 2 this day, in media reports, Shi Yongxin has an informal appearance. Early in the morning the same day, for a disciple to ask "how master did not go to Thailand to attend performances," the issue, Shi told his disciples, many affairs, provisional decision not to go. Report for the storm, and several monks together Shi doubts to his disciples. According to Shi told disciples, Shi said: "Shaolin Temple is no problem, I myself have no problem Shi, please disciples to believe."

Nine public appearances, appeared in France and other activities in

"Political thing" (Micro-letter ID: gcxxjgzh) statistics, from August 2 to date, at least nine times Shi public appearances, appeared in France in other activities. August and October more intensive, August 5th public appearances, so far in October has three times today. And only once in September, "stealth" more than 20 days.

Public appearances 1: to return to the mountain to worship "foreign disciple" Disclosure

"Political thing" (Micro-letter ID: gcxxjgzh) noted that on August 11, Shi Yongxin attended overseas disciples return to the mountain worship ceremony. Preliminary statistics, after this line "Release justice" encounter "reported the door", Shi Yongxin's first public appearance.

The same day, back to the mountain to worship Shaolin hundred "foreign disciple" to the Chinese traditional etiquette bow bow Shi Yongxin, hands clasped respectfully Shi disclosure.

Permanent Shaolin monks to accept Beijing News reporter, said: Master (Shi) has recently presided over the daily work in the temple, also received foreign visitors a day, will also participate in the morning prayers, but declined an interview, "around Shaolin Temple's opinion a lot, but the master is still the monastery, temple work as usual, I do not like the speculation of how the chaos. "

Public appearance 2: Tianjin Port explosion casualties were chanting and praying

After 8-12 Tianjin Port explosion occurred, Shi presided over the two puja, chanting and praying for the dead and wounded.

According to the Shaolin Temple official: August 13 afternoon, the temple of the recent accident victims will be held over the recommended method. August 14 morning, under the leadership of Master Shi Yongxin, abbot of the Shaolin Temple monks gathered in both the public and held as recently Prayer puja accident injured.

According to the Southern Weekend reported that, on August 14 morning to pray after school, go to the dining hall dining Shi. Reporter approached and asked him, "Are you still opposed to the listing?" He deadpanned soon discharged from the nasal cavity, "Well."

Debuted 3: Attended "crew and Shi Conference"

August 17 morning, Henan Shaolin Temple outside, Henan TV organized the "Shaolin Heroes" show news conference. After the conference, "Shaolin Heroes" column group into the Shaolin Temple abbot room, participate in the "Shi crew and the association."

According to participate in the association's media correspondent reports, Shi introduced his situation, work has been busy: first, many foreign guests visiting to explore the cultural exchange between the Chinese and Western experts. The second is being planned Strait Buddhist Culture Forum. Third, he is planning to do matters a Shaolin school, planning how the Shaolin school, a good pass down the traditional culture.

Reported: more than 30 minutes of the association, Shi color is very good, calm and peaceful. Faced with the recent "report" rumor, Shi Yongxin like nothing had happened, laughing.

Debuted 4: wearing robes auspicious tower opening

Attend "cast and Shi Conference" Three days later, Shi again on the first cross-strait youth Buddhist Forum appeared, wearing robes of the temple completed in world peace auspicious tower opened, and a number of monasteries and from across the Taiwan Strait monks pray together for world peace.

The Forum, through the approval of Henan Province Bureau of Religious Affairs, the approval letter is printed on the inside pages of the activities in the manual. Henan Province Guo Zhi, deputy director of Religious Affairs sat the opening ceremony of the guest gallery. In the event, Shi also spoke briefly.

Public appearances 5: coming Shaolin "asked Zen" Activities

Attended the first cross-strait youth Buddhist Forum the next day, which is August 21, Supreme Procuratorate accepted the report of Shi Yongxin. "Political thing" (Micro-letter ID: gcxxjgzh) noted Shi August 24 sunrise now 10th "Zen Shaolin ask Eloquent · identified · Zen," the opening ceremony.

According to Buddhism, online news, before the event, first held a Prayer by Shi Principal Act. The opening ceremony, Shi Yongxin speech. In addition, at the opening ceremony held by the "Zen ceremony" conference Shi editor, Shi and Shao cloud elders as "Zen ceremony," unveiled.

Public appearances 6: will be held to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the war law

3 September to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the victory of the war that day, the temple held a large-scale Prayer.

According to the Shaolin Temple official website news: at 5:00 on September 3, Shi rate monastic order two mass was held in the Main Hall "to commemorate the seventieth anniversary of the Chinese People's Anti-Japanese War and the World Anti-Fascist War Prayer."

continued next post

[GeneChing]

Debuted 7: "Stealth" 29 days after coming out "re-take the Dharma Road" campaign

"Political thing" (Micro-letter ID: gcxxjgzh) found that after September 3, Shi Yongxin "stealth" the 29 days, the absence of the Songshan Forum Annual Meeting 2015, "the Ministry of Culture of Shaolin kung fu African participants in the Third Class" graduation ceremony and other important events. In this regard, anecdotal constantly, Shaolin stakeholders in an interview, said: Shi in Beijing physical examination.

Due rumors Sheng Xiao dust on time, Shi sunrise on October 2 now "Dharma re-take the road" campaign site.

According to the official website news Shaolin Temple, Shaolin Temple in the city since 2014 meditation hall launched the "re-take the Dharma Road", "line foot pilgrimage route in the moment" campaign, it has been held fourth. During the National Day, the temple city meditation pilgrimage delegation of 30 people, after YueMiao Kai Que mother, Songyang Academy, "hiking pin" to the Shaolin Temple. Shaolin Temple official website said: October 2, the complete early lessons, line foot pilgrimage delegation in the Shaolin Temple and Shi classroom exchanges.

Debuted 8: Meets ROK Tongdosa Shaolin roots group

After public appearance on October 2, Shi Yongxin once again "stealth" the 18 days, later on the morning of October 20, met at the Shaolin Temple abbot room, led by the Bank of Korea peak master Tongdosa (caoxi cases) Shaolin roots group . Get a Shaolin Master Shi Feng "Baekje gilt-bronze incense burner," Shi Shi Feng master the rebate "Dharma like."

The meeting with the pictures taken show, Shi wearing yellow robes, smiling, as usual.

Public appearances 9: Fourth World Buddhist Forum Jutan the "Disclosure"

"Political thing" (Micro-letter ID: gcxxjgzh) noted that the Fourth World Buddhist Forum on October 24, the specification is high: the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau Standing Committee of the CPPCC National Committee Chairman Yu sent a congratulatory message; the CPC Central Committee, Central Sun Chunlan United Front Work Department attended the opening ceremony and delivered a speech; the Jiangsu Provincial Party Secretary Luo Zhijun welcome speech.

Officials attending the forum also former vice chairman of the NPC Standing Committee Xu Jialu, director of the State Bureau of Religious Affairs Wang Zuoan like.

According to media reports: at 7:30 on October 24 around, Shi Yongxin one yellow robes appeared in the Vatican Palace before, looking dignified look, into the hall after a wonderful sound, met with the vice president of the Buddhist Association of China, who were of the Master He fought a brief greeting. Seated, Shi red robe sets the upper body, for nearly four hours at the opening ceremony, Shi did not communicate with the people around there are too many. After the event, Shi red robe off, out of the wonderful sound together, along with a number of monks were brief exchange.

The two-day forum, Shi no public statements on the opening and closing, and no points in 14 games've had to speak publicly. After the closing ceremony, a reporter approached to ask about the "Disclosure" problem, Shi once every two "No", "No", left in a hurry.

"Political thing" (Micro-letter ID: gcxxjgzh) Written by: Beijing News reporter WANG Shu

More irreparably! Welcome to scan the next Fanger Wei code concern Sina news official micro letter (xinlang-xinwen).

There's more to come.

[GeneChing]

世界佛教论坛开幕 释永信面带微笑出席(图) (http://news.sina.com.cn/s/2015-10-24/doc-ifxizwsf8812097.shtml)
2015年10月24日16:59 中国新闻网

http://n.sinaimg.cn/crawl/20151024/yLfK-fxizwsm2345986.jpg
10月24日，释永信出席第四届世界佛教论坛。

http://n.sinaimg.cn/crawl/20151024/0WAt-fxizwsf8812033.jpg
10月24日，释永信出席第四届世界佛教论坛。

http://n.sinaimg.cn/transform/20151024/z-6b-fxizwsm2346092.jpg
众僧合影

　　10月24日，释永信出席第四届世界佛教论坛。当日，以“同愿同行，交流互鉴”为主题的第四届世界佛教 论坛在江苏无锡开幕，来自世界各地的高僧大德齐聚一堂，共襄世界级佛教界盛举。 中新社记者 泱波 摄

编辑：SN155

googtrans below (although this is fairly obvious)


World Buddhist Forum opening Shi smiling attendance (Figure)
At 16:59 on October 24, 2015 China News Network


October 24, Shi attend the Fourth World Buddhist Forum.


October 24, Shi attend the Fourth World Buddhist Forum.


Zhongseng photo

October 24, Shi attend the Fourth World Buddhist Forum. On that day, in order to "with willing counterparts, exchanges and mutual learning" as the theme of the Fourth World Buddhist Forum in Wuxi, Jiangsu opening, senior monks from around the world gathered in a grand Buddhist community of world-class setting effort. China news agency reporter Yang Boshe

Edit: SN155

[GeneChing]

释永信素装出席世界佛教论坛开幕式 (http://news.sina.com.cn/c/2015-10-24/doc-ifxizwti7075607.shtml)
2015年10月24日22:15 环球时报

　　10月24日8点半，第四届世界佛教论坛在无锡灵山梵宫圣坛隆重开幕。

　　“在佛教当中，我们对自己的一言一行要有一个正确的认识，更多地要观察和倾听。面临苦难，解决的最好途 径是静心。佛教对人与人的沟通，佛法就强调慈悲，能够修正社会道德品行，找到内心的平和。”

　　10月24日，第四届世界佛教论坛在无锡灵山开幕。世界佛教徒联谊会秘书长攀洛·泰阿利先生在大会发言 上表示，两千年前，佛教就开始在中国传播。佛教教义宣扬的不只是幸福快乐，还要关心社会，解决日常生活中的 一些问题。

　　澎湃新闻（www.thepaper.cn）现场获悉，开幕式当天，有来自50多个国家的高僧大德、宗 教领袖、专家学者、社会贤达和媒体人士近1000余人云集太湖之滨、梵宫圣坛。此前，曾遭遇举报门风波的少 林寺方丈释永信大和尚也参加了当天开幕式活动。

　　千人参与佛界盛世

　　24日清早，与会者们陆续赶到开幕式所在地。通往梵宫的百米红地毯上，千名僧侣两侧排开，气势恢宏。当 天上午8时30分，论坛开幕式准时在无锡灵山梵宫妙音堂举行。

　　中共中央政治局委员、中央统战部部长孙春兰在开幕式致辞中表示，本届论坛以“同愿同行、交流互鉴”为主 题，是对前三届论坛成果的拓展和深化，体现了佛教对当今时代的回应与关照，反映了对人类和谐共处美好未来的 期待，蕴含着对不同文明携手共建地球家园的真诚呼吁。

　　孙春兰表示，宗教的感召力在于宗教界人士的积极引领作用。古今中外，很多佛教高僧大德以深厚的宗教造诣 、高尚的道德情操，赢得了广大信教群众的尊重和爱戴；以“报国土恩，报众生恩”的情怀，引导广大信教群众爱 国爱教、护国利民。希望佛教界人士弘扬优良传统，努力在学识上有造诣、品德上能服众，自觉维护国家统一、促 进社会和谐；德行并举、引领正信，在团结广大信教群众中利益人群；坚守本真、潜心修行，在努力对宗教教义作 出适应时代进步要求的阐释中精进有为。

　　据了解，世界佛教论坛是中国奉献给全球佛弟子的又一盛会。首届世界佛教论坛于2006年在杭州和舟山举 行，第二届于2009年在无锡和台北举行，第三届于2012年在香港举行。

　　中国佛教协会会长学诚在论坛开幕上致辞说，世界佛教论坛，是中国佛教界为全世界佛教徒及一切护持佛教、 慈念众生的有识有为之士，搭建的一个平等、多元、开放的高层次对话、交流、合作平台。

　　自2006年至今，已成功举办三届，逐渐成为全世界佛教徒三年一度的盛会。论坛始终致力于促进世界佛教 徒之间的交流合作，深入探讨关系佛教发展和人类福祉的重大问题，为促进人心净化、增进众生福祉 不懈努力。

　　北京大学宗教文化研究院名誉院长、中国佛教文化研究所所长楼宇烈在大会发言时表示，佛教认为，人类的苦 难是一切恶性的根源，因此应要勤学，熄灭贪憎心，以博大的胸怀，来维护人类生存环境的和谐，这对世界的持久 和平有深远意义。

　　中国佛教协会副会长、江苏省佛教协会会长心澄法师在大会发言上指出，今天的世界仍不安宁，生态环境恶化 ，贫富差距仍旧很大，今天应该用道德、教净化人心，不应为自己求安乐。

　　释永信出席开幕式，无公开发言

　　开幕式当天，遭遇举报门风波的少林寺方丈释永信出席了当天的活动。据了解，释永信已连续参加了三届佛教 论坛。

　　上午7点30分左右，释永信一身黄色僧袍出现在梵宫前，面色显得凝重，步入妙音堂后，先后与中国佛教协 会副会长宗性法师等人打了简短的招呼，一路上并没有记者上前采访。

　　澎湃新闻记者注意到，开幕式上，释永信的座位被安排在正对主席台的第三排，左右两边分别是凤凰卫视董事 局主席兼行政总裁刘长乐与性门法师。入座后，释永信将红色袈裟套上身，在长达近4个小时的开幕式上，释永信 并没有与周围人有太多交流。活动结束后，释永信将红色袈裟脱去，走出妙音堂，一路与多名僧侣进行简短的交流 。

　　据了解，在第三届佛教论坛，释永信出席了“南北传佛教的交流与展望”的分论坛，曾发表《法 门南北八万四 真修实证得菩提》的演讲。

　　澎湃新闻记者注意到，在今年的佛教论坛上，有大会发言、8场分论坛和3场电视论坛及3场新媒体论坛，释 永信并没有在这14场分论坛上进行发言。

　　中国佛教协会副会长宗性法师在新闻发布会上表示，本届论坛特别创设了紧扣时代与社会热点的三个新媒体分 论坛，议题分别为“佛教与互联网”、“佛教与企业管理”、“丝绸之路上的佛教文明”，让佛教高僧大德与新媒 体前沿的精英和各领域专家跨界争鸣，撞击出智慧的火花。比如，“佛教与互联网”论坛，佛教代表和嘉宾们将探 讨“互联网+”如何助力佛教事业的发展，佛教在信息时代怎样能够更加积极地融入现代社会生活之中，更好地发 挥其净化人心、服务社会的作用。（来源：长三角政商）

Googtrans:

Su Shi installed at the opening ceremony of the World Buddhist Forum
At 22:15 on October 24, 2015 Global Times

At 8:30 on October 24, the Fourth World Buddhist Forum in Wuxi Lingshan altar Vatican palace grand opening.

"In Buddhism among our own words and deeds have a correct understanding, more to observe and listen. Faced with suffering, the best way to solve the meditation. Buddhism on interpersonal communication, Dharma emphasize compassion , social and moral behavior can be corrected, find inner peace. "

October 24, the Fourth World Buddhist Forum in Wuxi Mountain opened. Mr. Secretary-General, World Fellowship of Buddhists climb Lockheed Tai Ali addressed the Assembly on the said two thousand years ago, Buddhism began to spread in China. Buddhist teachings preached not only happiness, but also care about the community, to solve some of the problems in daily life.

Surging News (www.thepaper.cn) site was informed that the opening day, there are more than 50 countries from senior monks, religious leaders, experts and scholars from the coast, nearly 1,000 community leaders and media professionals 余人云 set of Taihu Lake, the Vatican Palace altar . Earlier, reports had suffered storm door Shaolin monk Shi Yongxin, abbot of the day also attended the opening ceremony activities.

Thousands of people involved in the Buddhist community's Spirit

On the 24th morning, the participants have arrived at the opening ceremony of the seat. Leading to the Vatican Palace of hundred meters of red carpet, thousands of monks, spread out on both sides, magnificent. 8:30 the same day, the opening ceremony was held on time in Wuxi Lingshan Vatican Palace Miu Church.

Minister of the CPC Central Committee, the Central United Front Work Department Sun Chunlan said at the opening ceremony, the forum of "with willing counterparts, exchanges and mutual learning" as the theme, is the outcome of the first three forums to expand and deepen, reflecting the Buddhist response to and care of our times, reflecting the expectations of a better future for humanity in harmony, contains different civilizations together to build a planet's sincere appeal.

Sun Chunlan said the appeal lies in an active leading role religion religious circles. All times, many Buddhist monks monks with deep religious knowledge, high moral character, won the majority of religious people respect and affection; the "newspaper of Homeland Well, newspaper beings grace," the feelings, guide the broad masses of believers patriotism, protect the country and benefit the people. Hope to carry forward the fine tradition of Buddhist circles, efforts in knowledge accomplished, the character can convince the public, and consciously safeguard national unity and promote social harmony; virtue simultaneously, leading faith, in the interests of the vast majority of believers unite people; adhere to the true, great concentration practice in the interpretation of religious doctrine made efforts to adapt to the requirements of the times and promising sophistication.

It is understood that the World Buddhist Forum is dedicated to the global Chinese Buddhist disciples another event. The first World Buddhist Forum in 2006, held in Hangzhou and Zhoushan, the second was held in 2009 in Wuxi and Taipei, the third in 2012 in Hong Kong.

President of the Buddhist Association of China Xue Cheng said in his opening speech at the forum, the World Buddhist Forum, the Chinese Buddhist community and all Buddhists around the world mostly from Buddhism, Tsz read beings have consciousness was something disabilities, build an egalitarian, pluralistic, open high-level dialogue, exchange and cooperation platform.

Since 2006, it has successfully held three, becoming the world's Buddhists triennial event. Forum is committed to promoting exchanges and cooperation between the world's Buddhists, depth discussions on major issues between Buddhism development and human well-being, to promote people purify, and make unremitting efforts to enhance the welfare of all beings.

Honorary president of Peking University Institute of cultural religion, Buddhism, director of the Institute of Chinese Culture building strong General Assembly in his speech said that Buddhists believe that human suffering is the root of all malignant, and therefore should be studious, extinguish hate greedy heart, with a broad mind to maintain harmonious human environment, which has far-reaching implications for lasting world peace.

Vice president of the Buddhist Association of China, president of the Buddhist Association of Jiangsu Province, the heart of Master Cheng pointed out in the statement of the General Assembly, today's world is still tranquil, the deterioration of ecological environment, the wealth gap is still big, and today should be moral, teach purify the mind, not We should seek peace for themselves.

Shi attended the opening ceremony, no public statement

Opening day, suffered report storm door Shaolin abbot Shi Yongxin attended the day's activities. It is understood that Shi has continuously participated in the three Buddhist Forum.

7:30 or so, Shi Yongxin one yellow robes appeared in front of the Vatican Palace, looking dignified look, walk Nada hall after, met with Vice President of the Buddhist Association of China were of the Master, who fought a brief greeting, a road and no reporters came to interview.

Surging News reporter noted that the opening ceremony, Shi Yongxin's seat is on the podium was placed in the third row, left and right sides, respectively, chairman of Phoenix Satellite Television Liu Changle, the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of the door and the Master. Seated, Shi red robe sets the upper body, for nearly four hours at the opening ceremony, Shi did not communicate with the people around there are too many. After the event, Shi red robe off, out of the wonderful sound together, along with a number of monks were brief exchange.

It is understood that in the Third Buddhist Forum, Shi Yongxin attended the "North-South exchanges and Buddhism Outlook" sub-forum, has published "the key to true north and south eighty-four thousand empirical get repair Bodhi" speech.

Surging News reporter noted that in this year's Buddhist Forum, there is the statement of the General Assembly, eight sub-forums and three games 3 games Television Forum and new media forum, Shi did not speak on the 14 sub-forum.

Vice president of the Buddhist Association of China were of the Master at a news conference, said the creation of the forum especially closely three times and social hot new media sub-forums, topics are "Buddhism and the Internet", "Buddhism and Enterprise Management "" Buddhist civilization "on the Silk Road, so Buddhist monks monks and new media frontier elites and experts in various fields of cross-border contend, striking sparks of wisdom. For example, "Buddhism and the Internet," Forum, the Buddhist delegates and guests will explore the "Internet +" How to help the development of the cause of Buddhism, Buddhism in the information age how to more actively integrate into the modern social life, better play its purify people's hearts social services role. (Source: Yangtze political and business)

[GeneChing]

Investigation of Shaolin Abbot Partially Revealed (http://english.cri.cn/12394/2015/11/28/4203s906102.htm)
2015-11-28 17:38:25 CRIENGLISH.com Web Editor: WangKun

http://english.cri.cn/mmsource/images/2015/11/28/ccae0a88a67649e99abe410667c89a94.jpg
Shi Yongxin, the abbot of China's famed Shaolin Temple, addresses the opening ceremony of the 2012 European Shaolin Culture Festival in Berlin, Germany, Sept. 7, 2012. Shaolin Kungfu Test Conference, photo show of Shaolin culture and some other events will be held during the festival. [Photo: Xinhua]

Details surrounding an investigation into the abbot of the famed Shaolin Temple in Henan have been revealed, which so far appear to exonorate him from the allegations made against him.

The Buddhist Association of Henan says Shi Yongxin has the proper qualifications to run the Temple.

At the same time, the Association says all the rules were followed properly when he was elected the head of the famed Temple in late 1996.

Paternity tests taken from Shi Yongxin's two adopted daughters have also confirmed they are not his biological children.

Authorities say an investigation into his finances and other allegations against him are still underway.

Shi Yongxin, who has been dubbed the "CEO monk" for his moves to commercialize the home of Kung-Fu, has been under investigation after a series of allegations were levelled against him by a former monk at Shaolin.

The accusations made earlier this year have included embezzlement, lying about his true identity and sex with multiple women, which would go against the tenants of being a Buddhist monk.

The sexual allegations, which were contained in a police report filed by an unnamed woman, were enough to prompt the investigation.

http://english.cri.cn/mmsource/images/2015/11/28/47de5d7f41854d47b5f10fb72eb67af7.jpg
Photo taken on April 8, 2012 shows Shi Yongxin, abbot of Shaolin Temple, at the inauguration ceremony in of the Henan Buddhist College (HBC) in the scenic Tongbai Mountains in central China's Henan Province. [Photo: Xinhua]

http://english.cri.cn/mmsource/images/2015/11/28/e195d2f455df47c0aae7ca0c9b570613.jpg
A photo shows Shaolin Temple at the foot of the Songshan Mountain in central China's Henan Province, Feb. 18, 2014. [Photo: Xinhua]


For the record, the 4th Shaolin Festival (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?68641-The-4th-Shaolin-Cultural-Festival-San-Francisco-CA-Oct-8-11-2015) didn't quite happen in the Abbot's absence. :(

[breeze]

The Rise and Fall of Shaolin’s CEO Monk
Shi Yongxin built the Shaolin Temple into a global business. Now, karma’s catching up.
December 29, 2015
Christopher Beam



......

Then, on Nov. 28, the Henan government released partial results of its investigation. The authorities had split their probe into two parts, one focusing on “disciplinary” charges and the other on “economic” ones. Yongxin was cleared of the former. The claims that he fathered two children were false, according to the report: One of them was in fact adopted by the nun with whom Yongxin had allegedly fathered the child, and anyway the woman had become infertile after an operation; a paternity test revealed that the other was the child of Yongxin’s younger brother. The state’s report also rejected the claim that Yongxin had been expelled from the monastery in the 1980s. In an interview with a Henan newspaper, a member of the investigation team said the expulsion had been “a personal matter” and was “invalid” because it was not approved by the proper government authorities.


The results of the “economic” investigation haven’t yet been released. (Nor have investigators explained their unusual choice to publish in thematic installments.) But the findings so far suggest that Yongxin may be headed for exoneration, or at the most a slap on the wrist. The “disciplinary” results are conspicuously incomplete: They fail to address the rape accusation, as well as the charge that Yongxin slept with the Shenzhen businesswoman. Verdicts on these charges don’t appear to be forthcoming.

The public response has been predictably cynical. One Chinese netizen spoke for many when he wrote, “He’s a good Party monk, of course he can’t have problems.” The point being, whether he’s guilty or not, Yongxin is too big to fail. If he did, given the gravity of the charges, he would take countless others down with him.

It’s true that many party leaders have lost their jobs in recent years because of the anticorruption campaign, and those who fight their accusers rarely win. But those officials have been targeted by the upper rungs of the party. The small group that fingered Yongxin included rogue disciples who had axes to grind. From a stability perspective, his ousting would cause more problems than it would solve. Moreover, he’s a powerful symbol for the Chinese government. His success showcases not only China’s tolerance for organized religion but also the country’s soft power. Shaolin has reached new audiences through every manner of pop culture, from Stephen Chow movies to The Simpsons to the Wu-Tang Clan, whose latest album is titled Once Upon a Time in Shaolin. At a time when China can’t seem to win an Oscar or produce literature that travels well, the fact that American teenagers know the name Shaolin is a source of pride.

During my visit to the temple, I went by the office of Wang Yumin, the head of foreign affairs, and told him I wanted to write about how the temple had become so successful under Yongxin. “Successful?” Wang said. He laughed bitterly and gestured around him as if the allegations dogging Yongxin were physical objects in the room. “We don’t think it’s very successful.”



http://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2015-12-28/the-rise-and-fall-of-shaolin-s-ceo-monk

[GeneChing]

Because I'm quoted in it. :cool:


The Rise and Fall of Shaolin’s CEO Monk (http://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2015-12-28/the-rise-and-fall-of-shaolin-s-ceo-monk)
Shi Yongxin built the Shaolin Temple into a global business. Now, karma’s catching up.
December 28, 2015
Christopher Beam

http://assets.bwbx.io/images/ik1AgIo80.1o/v1/-1x-1.jpg
Photographer: Chinafotopress/Getty Images

His Holiness the Venerable Abbot Shi Yongxin would deliver the money himself. Five thousand miles from the Shaolin Temple, the ancient Buddhist monastery and wellspring of kung fu that he oversees in the mountains of central China, a city council in Australia had approved his purchase of some land. Attuned to the power of symbolic gestures, Yongxin wanted to seal the deal in person, so in February the cherubic, saffron-robed abbot journeyed from Henan province to Shoalhaven, New South Wales, and handed the mayor a check for $3 million. Yongxin smiled and pressed his hands together, as if in prayer. “It is destiny,” he said.

Yongxin had negotiated for the property for nearly a decade. He wanted to build a complex there called Shaolin Village, where Australians and international tourists could learn about Chan Buddhism and the temple’s famed warrior monks. But to think of Shaolin Village as a temple would be like calling Versailles a house. In addition to a monastery and kung fu academy, the development Yongxin envisioned included a four-star hotel with 500 beds, residential villas, and a 27-hole golf course, at a cost of more than $270 million.

Yongxin, in his 16 years as head of the Shaolin Temple, had presided over many business ventures and was known across China and the world as the “CEO monk.” Since taking his vows of piety in the early 1980s, he had transformed the Shaolin Temple—a picturesque compound of prayer halls, tree-dabbled courtyards, and Buddhist shrines set against a lush mountainside—from a poor and relatively unknown outpost into a global brand. He became a symbol of the successful intersection of church, state, and commerce in China, a kind of anti-Dalai Lama who enjoys political favor as well as spiritual status.

Yongxin first drew national attention in China in the mid-1990s, when he filed a lawsuit against a company that produced Shaolin brand sausages—a product that was not only unauthorized but also, given the Buddhist monks’ vegetarianism, particularly off-message. To prevent further brand dilution, he created the Henan Shaolin Temple Industrial Development Co. and registered the name Shaolin as a trademark. While abbots had traditionally overseen only the temple grounds, Yongxin got the shabby warren of shops and martial arts schools outside the complex demolished, in the name of preserving its character, and he clashed with the local government over ticket sales to the region. He also created the Shaolin Kungfu Monk Corps, a touring troupe that performs for paying audiences from Thailand to Canada.

For centuries, the monks of the Shaolin Temple mostly prayed and practiced martial arts, while living off the land and the donations of worshippers. Under Yongxin, their activities expanded to include food and medicine sales, construction, entertainment, and consulting. In 2006 the temple teamed with a Shenzhen media company to produce Kungfu Star, an American Idol-style TV competition. Shaolin announced last year that it would begin developing mobile apps, including instructional kung fu software. The Shaolin Village project in Australia was only the next logical step in the abbot’s expansionist theo-corporate empire. “If China can import Disney resorts,” he said in March, “why can’t other countries import the Shaolin Monastery?”

Yongxin had a knack for politics as well as business. He was both vice chairman of the Buddhist Association of China and a member of the National People’s Congress, the country’s legislature. He met with luminaries, including Nelson Mandela, the queen of England, and Tim Cook, the head of Apple. Within the temple, he commanded a loyal following among its 400 or so monks. “He’s the person I respect the most,” said Shi Yanlu, one of Yongxin’s most trusted disciples, at one point. “He really dares to dream.”

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Kung fu students practicing in Shaolin.
Source: AFP/Getty Images

Then, on July 25, a message about Yongxin appeared on a Chinese Internet forum. Its authors claimed to be Shaolin disciples and used the pseudonym Shi Zhengyi. Shi is a title taken by all Shaolin monks, and zhengyi means “justice” in Mandarin. Borrowing the language of President Xi Jinping’s ongoing anticorruption campaign, which promises to target both “tigers” (high-level officials) and “flies” (low-level ones), the post asked, “Who will supervise the big tiger Shi Yongxin?” To “protect the hall of our ancestors” and “revitalize Shaolin,” the self-proclaimed whistle-blowers were “bravely stepping forward to reveal the rule-breaking and lawbreaking of Shaolin Temple Abbot Shi Yongxin.” His misdeeds, they charged, included raping a nun, fathering two children, embezzling funds, and generally “staining the reputation of the Shaolin Temple.” The accusers posted photos of a nun and a small child who were supposedly Yongxin’s mistress and daughter.

Over the next few days, Zhengyi released new material. Side-by-side photos seemed to show that Yongxin had not one but two housing registrations, which is illegal in China. A police report included handwritten notes from the interrogation of a Shenzhen businesswoman who claimed she’d slept with Yongxin and had been threatened by his disciples; one of them “told me he’d let me have a comfortable death,” she told the police. A social media user, posting under the same woman’s name, uploaded a photo of dirty underwear supposedly worn during a sexual encounter with Yongxin and claimed to have saved a condom used by the abbot. Letters bearing the official stamps of former Shaolin abbots said that Yongxin had been expelled from the temple—twice. The documents’ authenticity wasn’t confirmed, but those inclined to believe the charges saw in Yongxin a classic portrait: the outwardly pious religious leader exposed as a hypocrite, abusing his authority to commit sins of the flesh and the purse.

Yongxin made a show of proceeding with business as usual. On its website, the temple dismissed the charges as “vicious slander” and called for the government to investigate and prosecute the accusers. Yongxin taunted them in an interview with Global Times, a Chinese newspaper, published on Aug. 3. “If I really had a problem, you wouldn’t have to post accusations about me on the Internet,” he said. “You could go directly to the relevant departments.”

He might have regretted the challenge. That week, six Shaolin disciples traveled north to Beijing and, on Aug. 8, walked into the Supreme People’s Procuratorate, the central government agency that handles investigations. The group included a former head of the Monk Corps, several other senior monks, and, leading them, Yongxin’s trusted disciple, Shi Yanlu. Within a week, government investigators were visiting the Shaolin Temple and scrutinizing the Yongxin empire.

Those inclined to believe the charges saw in Yongxin a classic portrait: the outwardly pious religious leader exposed as a hypocrite

The Shaolin Temple was founded in 495 A.D. by the monk Buddhabhadra, who had traveled from India to China. It’s considered the birthplace of Chan Buddhism, a precursor of Zen Buddhism. At the foot of Mt. Song, the temple became known for its warrior monks—a contradiction, given their commitment to nonviolence, but an advantage during wartime—when, in the year 621, a group of Shaolin monks came to the aid of the Tang emperor in battle. The temple thrived during the Ming dynasty, as government officials recruited its monks for 16th century military campaigns, including several battles against Japanese pirates. One account describes a group of 120 monks killing more than 100 “dwarf pirates,” while suffering only four casualties.

The Shaolin fared worse under the Qing (1644-1911), as the new rulers, questioning the monks’ loyalty, tried to curb their military activity. In 1928 the temple was torched by a Nationalist general. The rise of Mao Zedong and the Communist Party caused damage first spiritual—monks were forbidden to wear robes or practice Buddhist rituals—and then physical, when the Red Guards destroyed many of the temple’s relics during the Cultural Revolution. continued next post

[GeneChing]

A 16-year-old named Liu Yingcheng arrived in 1981. Growing up on a farm in Anhui province, he’d often heard stories about Buddhist monks, and was taken with the idea of, in his words, “living a carefree life, coming and going like the clouds and the fog.” Liu’s parents opposed him becoming a monk, so he waited until they were traveling to take some money and sneak away to Shaolin. He found the place in a shambles. The temple was falling apart, and only two dozen monks lived there, eating little but maize paste and steamed buns. There hadn’t been an official abbot for more than 300 years. Still, Liu sought out the acting abbot, an old man named Xingzheng, who agreed to take him on. Liu cooked and grazed cattle while beginning his studies. He was an unremarkable martial artist, but he was smart, and Xingzheng took a liking to him. During the young man’s vow ceremony, the abbot gave him the dharma name Yongxin.

Any sense of tranquility was about to end. In 1982 the film The Shaolin Temple, shot on location and starring a 19-year-old kung fu phenom named Jet Li, became one of the first Chinese-made international blockbusters. Inspired by the story of a slave boy fleeing to Shaolin to learn kung fu and avenge his father’s death, would-be monks made pilgrimages to the temple and offered to join its ranks. Children flocked from around the country to study martial arts, and dozens of training schools opened. Tourism spiked from roughly 50,000 visitors per year in the late 1970s to 2.6 million in 1984.

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Yongxin fought the local government over ticket revenue.
Source: Chinafotopress/Getty Images

Yongxin watched this explosion with some trepidation, but mostly excitement—it was an opportunity to spread Shaolin beliefs to more people. At the same time, the central government’s grip on religion was starting to relax. Xingzheng took advantage of the “reform and opening” policies of Deng Xiaoping to push for greater independence for the temple, traveling frequently to lobby officials in the provincial capital and Beijing. He would often bring along Yongxin, who became known as Xingzheng’s “walking stick.”

In his memoir, Shaolin Temple in My Heart, Yongxin remembers traveling on the cheap, eating bread they’d packed themselves and staying in bathhouses. (Yongxin, through a spokesman, declined several requests to be interviewed.) He met officials and learned the importance of political connections. Xingzheng successfully persuaded the government to let the monks wear robes again and to allow ticket sales, which generated an income for the temple. In this radically open economic landscape, Yongxin saw firsthand how the temple could leverage the Jet Li miracle into security, autonomy, and growth.

Some accounts suggest Yongxin became too keen a student of power. According to a recent report by Sina News, a Chinese news portal, in 1986, as Xingzheng was preparing for a ceremony that would officially make him abbot, he couldn’t find a necessary scroll. Xingzheng accused Yongxin of stealing the sacred object out of a desire to become abbot himself. At first Yongxin denied the charge, then reportedly admitted guilt and gave the scroll back. Xingzheng also learned that Yongxin had been referring to himself as Shaolin’s “second in command,” and sometimes even as “abbot,” according to Sina.

Xingzheng expelled Yongxin from the temple, according to documents posted by Shi Zhengyi and statements by people who were at Shaolin at the time. But Yongxin refused to leave, even when, per one account, some monks took his bedding and personal items and threw them out of the temple. A year later, documents released by Shi Zhengyi appear to show, a new “honorary” abbot, Shi Dechan, again tried to kick Yongxin out. He wrote a letter to the Buddhism Association of China enumerating Yongxin’s alleged offenses, including inciting monks to beat up an electrician. Again, Yongxin refused to be dismissed. The farm boy who had come to Shaolin wishing to come and go like the clouds and the fog had learned the power of staying put. He built his own base of supporters and, with higher-ranking monks either too ill or too unpopular to take charge, eventually emerged as the de facto leader of the temple, the monk with the clearest ability to continue the modernization that Xingzheng had begun.

In 1995, Yongxin organized a celebration of the Shaolin Temple’s 1,500th anniversary, inviting government officials, Buddhist leaders, and thousands of guests from around the world. In a clever bit of political theater, he put on display a memorial tablet commemorating the 50th anniversary of China’s victory over Japan. The five-day celebration got extensive media coverage and helped establish the Shaolin Temple as the preeminent monastery in China. “It was exceptionally successful,” Yongxin wrote in his memoir. Four years later, he went through the official induction ceremony and was named 30th abbot of the Shaolin Temple. He was 34 years old. “I always persist in things that I am determined to do,” he wrote. “People might not understand for the moment, but everything will become clear at last.”

I’d heard a lot about the commercialization of the Shaolin Temple, but nothing could prepare me for my first encounter with Buddhism Inc. I paid the steep $16 entrance fee and walked the long, tree-lined path from the front gate of the Songshan Shaolin Scenic Area to the temple. The lilting theme song from Shaolin Temple, the movie, played from speakers in the trees. Tour groups congregated in front of the temple, snapping photos of its front steps, sloping tile roofs, and, despite a rule against it, the occasional monk. A man in a puffy jacket offered to sell me a Photoshopped picture of myself with Yongxin and Vladimir Putin flanking me like bodyguards. I shelled out $30 to see the 400-person nighttime Shaolin Zen Music Ritual, and caught a kung fu performance where the stage was emblazoned with the name of a tire company. In the mall-like gift shop, I bought a toy gun.

One evening I was sitting in a nearby guesthouse, reading a copy of Yongxin’s memoir, when an old man with a long white beard shuffled over. His son accompanied him and said his father had studied at the temple long ago. The old man stepped to the center of the room and performed an elegant kung fu routine, striking and kicking invisible enemies. Here it was, I thought: living heritage, unsullied by crass commercialism. When the man finished, I applauded and went to shake his hand. “Now give me some money,” he said.

In his book, Yongxin describes his goal for the temple not as commercialization, but rather the preservation and spread of authentic Shaolin culture. To do that, he argues, requires that monks be engaged in the secular world. “It seems that in people’s minds, monks worthy of respect should do nothing but chant prayers,” he writes. “I do not think that way.” He rejects the CEO Monk nickname, but based on past statements, his aim isn’t radically different from that of a Fortune 500 company: growth. Yet growth requires efficiency, rational management, and creative destruction, which don’t always suit religious leaders.

If Shaolin is commercial now, it used to be worse—or at least tackier. In the mid-1990s, the area surrounding the temple was filled with souvenir shops selling prayer beads, figurines, swords, and Tasers. There was a roller coaster simulator and a house of horrors with a petrified cadaver. One of Mao’s private planes stood on display. The dirt road to the temple was lined with competing martial arts schools, where students trained to become, typically, kung fu coaches or military personnel, and occasionally Shaolin warrior monks. “They were dazzling, in a weird way,” says Gene Ching, a Shaolin disciple and associate publisher of Kung Fu Tai Chi magazine who first visited in 1995. “My favorite was watching two kids assigned to clean up the street. They got in a fight over a dustpan. At first it was typical push-pull, then one kid trapped the other kid’s hand on the dustpan and put him in an armlock, and the other kid did a tornado kick to disarm him.”

Yongxin was instilling brand discipline on an ancient faith. But he was also cutting rivals out of the Shaolin economy

Upon becoming abbot in 1999, Yongxin decided to clear out the dreck. “Who would want to visit this filthy and chaotic place?” he wrote. He lobbied the local government to approve demolition in the area and helped pay for it with what he said was the majority of the temple’s savings. Villagers, whose livelihoods were jeopardized, picketed and held banners denouncing the abbot, but in 2002 the forced relocation proceeded. Yongxin was pleased. “Now it possesses a little bit of the poetic charm that I have long cherished for the Shaolin Temple,” he wrote. The project dovetailed with his trademark-protection litigation, as he sought to control the temple’s image locally and abroad. When Yongxin first tried to lay exclusive claim to the name Shaolin, he found that 57 other parties had already registered the trademark in China, as well as 18 in the U.S. and 228 in Japan. After numerous lawsuits, all rights to the name were transferred to the temple in 2009. Yongxin was instilling the modern tenets of brand discipline on a 1,500-year-old faith. But he was also creating a long list of enemies who had been cut out of the Shaolin economy. continued next post

[GeneChing]

As Yongxin’s fame grew, his critics accused him of living an increasingly extravagant lifestyle—especially for a monk. In 2006 the government of Dengfeng gave him a Volkswagen SUV worth $125,000 as thanks for his contributions to tourism. “I dream of getting a bigger prize next year,” he said at the time. Three years later, he was again denounced for showing off a cloak with gold thread worth $25,000. He said it was a gift from a brocade company in Nanjing as an example of their shared “intangible cultural heritage.” Allegations of more serious misbehavior began to appear in 2011, when someone claimed online that Yongxin had been caught visiting prostitutes during a police raid. The State Administration for Religious Affairs issued a statement saying the report was only a malicious rumor. Whatever controversies surrounded Yongxin, they never stuck. When he addressed them, it was only in koan-like utterances. “If these things are problems,” he once told a reporter, “they would have become problems by now.”

In November, I visited Qian Daliang, the general manager of Shaolin Intangible Assets Management Co. Ltd., which Yongxin had established to oversee the temple’s many subsidiaries. In his spare office inside the temple walls, Qian—the surname means “money”—turned on a small, ineffectual space heater and made tea while he told tales of the Shaolin monks’ greatest financial battles. “Religions should be independent, and economic independence is the most important part,” he said. One of Yongxin’s most significant stands had been with the local government over the issue of allowing the temple to sell tickets—the campaign Abbot Xingzheng had started. Eventually, Qian said, the government agreed that the temple would receive 30 percent of the revenue from ticket sales to the Songshan Shaolin Scenic Area, in which the temple is the main attraction. Temple insiders suspect the local government is trying to reduce its financial dependence on Shaolin. In 2010 the city of Dengfeng started developing plans for a competing temple, to be called Tianzhong. Construction began but was soon delayed. According to a report in Caixin magazine, although Yongxin expressed outward support for the project, many locals believe he played a role in stalling it by raising objections that the construction would damage old relics. Work was halted in May, two months before Shi Zhengyi launched the public crusade against Yongxin.

The highway connecting Dengfeng to the Shaolin Temple passes a dozen martial arts schools—tall, gray buildings crowned with almost identical red lettering, most containing the name Shaolin and many run by former monks. Some relocated there after Yongxin’s demolition; others have been erected since, sometimes with temple funds. The schools, which bring in tens of thousands of students every year, including wealthy foreigners, have over the years turned into gold mines for their owners. In 1997, Yongxin reportedly dispatched his disciple Shi Yanlu to found the Shaolin Warrior Monks Training Base and invested 15 million yuan ($2.3 million) in the school. Yanlu, a sinewy specimen, especially compared with Yongxin’s melted-candle figure, had grown up poor in Shandong province and came to Shaolin in 1987. He eventually became a respected warrior monk and one of Yongxin’s loyal aides. During the abbot’s 1999 induction ceremony, Yanlu stood behind Yongxin, holding his umbrella.

Yanlu’s school became one of the most successful in the region. It maintained close ties with Shaolin: Yanlu would send his best students to perform in the temple’s kung fu shows, as well as in the lucrative Shaolin Zen Music Ritual song and dance show. Yongxin allowed Yanlu alone to maintain a recruitment office inside the temple.

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A Shaolin monk poses for a photograph in London’s Chinatown on Feb. 23.Photographer: Carl Court/Getty Images

Over time, the relationship frayed. Yanlu began to receive his own high-profile visitors, including the prime minister of Hungary and the king of Cambodia. Temple leaders suspected that Yanlu was no longer sending his best pupils to participate in Shaolin performances, keeping them instead for his own school’s shows. Yanlu further distanced himself from Yongxin when he bought a piece of land and began advertising an ambitious new program called Shaolin Soccer, without involving the temple. Yanlu and Yongxin would squabble over money. According to Yanlu’s report to the government, starting in 2005, Yongxin began asking Yanlu for money. “He was insatiable,” Yanlu’s spokesman told Caixin. Yongxin denied this, saying he “never asked for a cent.” Yanlu also claimed that Yongxin forced him to pay 2 million yuan to the Shenzhen businesswoman with whom the abbot allegedly had sex. “He was the abbot, so I had to do what he said,” Yanlu wrote. “After that, he warned me not to raise the issue of the money or else I’d be kicked out of the temple.”

Yanlu has faced his own charges of sacrilege. Several years ago, a photo reportedly circulated in the Shaolin community of Yanlu with his month-old son. As Qian Daliang explained it to one news outlet, Yongxin confronted Yanlu and told him to stop wearing the monastic robes. From then on, when they met in person, Yanlu would dress in everyday clothes, but he still wore the robes at school events. His role as headmaster depended on his image as a pious Shaolin warrior monk—without that, he could lose everything. Yanlu didn’t respond to requests for comment sent to his spokesman.

Tensions exploded one day in 2013, when a group of Yanlu’s students tried to enter the Shaolin Temple without tickets. A fight broke out between the students and the Shaolin monks guarding the gate, and the police arrested two of the guards. After that, Yongxin closed Yanlu’s student recruitment office and, according to reports, officially expelled him from the temple.

In November, the year’s first snowfall blanketed the monastery. Nearly four months had passed since the charges against Yongxin went viral, and the results of the state investigation still hadn’t been announced. The initial blast of chatter about his fate had quieted to a low hum. No one wanted to talk on the record: Those who had already voiced support for Yongxin had nothing to add, while those who had denounced him didn’t want to say more in case he kept his job after all. As time went on and nothing changed, the locals were beginning to consider the possibility that the abbot, as he had survived past crises, would weather this one. That would be an astonishing anticlimax, given the dynamite nature of the charges, but one that they had to consider—knowing the extent of Yongxin’s power, the thinness of the evidence, the bias of the accusers, and the capriciousness of the Chinese legal system.

Then, on Nov. 28, the Henan government released partial results of its investigation. The authorities had split their probe into two parts, one focusing on “disciplinary” charges and the other on “economic” ones. Yongxin was cleared of the former. The claims that he fathered two children were false, according to the report: One of them was in fact adopted by the nun with whom Yongxin had allegedly fathered the child, and anyway the woman had become infertile after an operation; a paternity test revealed that the other was the child of Yongxin’s younger brother. The state’s report also rejected the claim that Yongxin had been expelled from the monastery in the 1980s. In an interview with a Henan newspaper, a member of the investigation team said the expulsion had been “a personal matter” and was “invalid” because it was not approved by the proper government authorities.
continued next post

[GeneChing]

http://assets.bwbx.io/images/ifAvvbhDR7Oc/v1/-1x-1.jpg
Yongxin with Jackie Chan.
Photographer: Donald Chan/Reuters

The results of the “economic” investigation haven’t yet been released. (Nor have investigators explained their unusual choice to publish in thematic installments.) But the findings so far suggest that Yongxin may be headed for exoneration, or at the most a slap on the wrist. The “disciplinary” results are conspicuously incomplete: They fail to address the rape accusation, as well as the charge that Yongxin slept with the Shenzhen businesswoman. Verdicts on these charges don’t appear to be forthcoming.

The public response has been predictably cynical. One Chinese netizen spoke for many when he wrote, “He’s a good Party monk, of course he can’t have problems.” The point being, whether he’s guilty or not, Yongxin is too big to fail. If he did, given the gravity of the charges, he would take countless others down with him.

It’s true that many party leaders have lost their jobs in recent years because of the anticorruption campaign, and those who fight their accusers rarely win. But those officials have been targeted by the upper rungs of the party. The small group that fingered Yongxin included rogue disciples who had axes to grind. From a stability perspective, his ousting would cause more problems than it would solve. Moreover, he’s a powerful symbol for the Chinese government. His success showcases not only China’s tolerance for organized religion but also the country’s soft power. Shaolin has reached new audiences through every manner of pop culture, from Stephen Chow movies to The Simpsons to the Wu-Tang Clan, whose latest album is titled Once Upon a Time in Shaolin. At a time when China can’t seem to win an Oscar or produce literature that travels well, the fact that American teenagers know the name Shaolin is a source of pride.

During my visit to the temple, I went by the office of Wang Yumin, the head of foreign affairs, and told him I wanted to write about how the temple had become so successful under Yongxin. “Successful?” Wang said. He laughed bitterly and gestured around him as if the allegations dogging Yongxin were physical objects in the room. “We don’t think it’s very successful.”
Chris Beam interviewed me for a very long time, plus follow-up questions. At least I got one quote in. :)

[GeneChing]

释永信被举报事件调查结果公布 “私生女”不属实 (http://www.chinanews.com/sh/2015/11-28/7645684.shtml)

2015年11月28日 08:24　来源：大河网 参与互动　

http://image1.chinanews.com.cn/cnsupload/big/2015/11-18/4-426/fd67680624d141aebbc18d5005912e71.jpg

11月17日消息，河南登封，少林寺一年一度的冬季“精进七”禅七法会，于11月16日即农历十月初五正式 开启，本次禅七共七个七，为期四十九天。少林方丈释永信当日为众开示。 少林寺供图


视频：释永信被举报调查结果公布 “私生女”不属实 来源：央视新闻
　　释永信被举报违反戒律问题调查有果
　　——调查组负责人接受本报专访
　　本报记者 屈芳
　　7月25日起，一则署名“释正义”、举报少林寺方丈释永信有关问题的贴子开始在网上流传。此后，释延鲁 等人实名举报，引发社会持续关注。

　　记者了解到，根据举报内容，我省有关方面本着公平公正、依法依规原则迅速成立了调查组。调查组通过调阅 历史档案材料、到相关单位核查、约谈询问当事人、走访相关人员等方式展开调查。同时，调查组多次赴北京、山 东、安徽、商丘、登封等地调查取证，获取了证言证词等相关证据材料。
　　日前，就释永信被举报涉及违反戒律的有关问题，调查组负责人接受了本报专访。
　　释永信当年“被迁单”的说法不实
　　释永信被举报涉及违反戒律方面的主要内容之一是“被迁单(即僧人犯戒被摈出门——编者按) ”问题。
　　举报称，释永信早已被时任少林寺名誉方丈释德禅迁单，其方丈职务为非法获得，并公布了释永信“被迁单” 的材料：1988年2月1日中国佛教协会教务部给释德禅的《复函》，其中有“法师作为一寺之主，经与主要执 事商议，有权迁单”的内容；1988年4月23日释德禅对释永信的《迁单文书》等。
　　释永信真的早被“迁单”了吗？调查组经过调查确认：释永信当年“被迁单”的说法不属实，是个别人的私自 行为，是无效的，此后方丈资格的获得如法合规。
　　调查组负责人向记者列出了四点依据：
　　一、所谓“被迁单”没有按寺规经过少林寺寺管会集体研究的工作程序。经调查组查阅历史档案、走访当时少 林寺寺管会成员中健在人员、少林寺部分老僧人、当时省市县宗教工作干部和处理少林寺问题工作组成员等，确认 当时对释永信的所谓“迁单”并未开会集体研究，调查组也没有查到相关会议的讨论记录。从查实的释永信“被迁 单”过程看，所说的“迁单”是在当时内部相争情况下个别人的私自行为。
　　二、中国佛教协会所发《复函》只是强调处理僧人迁单问题的一般原则，并非专指对释永信迁单问题，此后中 国佛教协会下发的《电报》已就此作出说明。经调查，在1988年2月1日中国佛教协会教务部给释德禅发出《 复函》后，同年5月3日，中国佛教协会又下发《电报》，进一步强调：“我会教务部前致德禅法师函讲的是丛林 处理违反寺规僧人迁单问题的一般原则，对僧人作迁单处理是严肃的事情，应谨慎从事。”《电报》同样强调“迁 单”应经过集体讨论，指出：“在德禅法师病重的情况下，更应在查明情况的前提下，经过寺庙领导成员集体讨论 决定。不可用上述文件(指《复函》——编者按)为依据，对僧人轻率作出迁单处理。”
　　三、释永信“被迁单”问题已被当年工作组认定“无效”。1987年8月释行正方丈圆寂，1988年出现 释永信“被迁单”问题后，原登封县组成少林寺问题工作组进行了相关调查，并对释永信“被迁单”问题作出了明 确结论：“个别人私自迁永信的单，是错误的、是无效的，永信仍然是管委会的主要成员，仍要执行自己的分工职 责。”
　　四、释永信方丈资格的获得得到了河南省佛教协会的批准并报中国佛教协会备案。调查组负责人告诉记者，1 996年12月经少林寺民主选举，释永信任少林寺寺管会主任。此后释永信方丈资格的获得，也是经过严格的逐 级申报审核。档案资料显示，河南省佛教协会报请河南省宗教局同意并报中国佛教协会备案，于 1999年4月15日向郑州市佛教协会下达批复：“同意释永信法师担任嵩山少林寺方丈，并选良辰吉日举行方 丈升座仪式。”上述程序，符合《全国汉传佛教寺院管理办法》，也符合《汉传佛教寺院住持任职办 法》。
　　韩某恩系释某某收养，此前释某某已丧失生育能力
　　“释正义”的网帖和释延鲁等人的举报中，都提到释永信有两个“私生女”，其中与释某某生女韩某恩，与关 某某生女刘某亚。这也成为调查组调查的又一焦点内容。
　　“释永信与释某某生女韩某恩不属实”，调查组负责人明确说。
　　据受访的负责人介绍，经调查核实，2004年10月11日释某某因“多发性子宫肌瘤”入住某医院治疗， 同月做了腹式全子宫切除手术。根据相关线索，调查组在该医院查阅到对释某某的《手术记录档案》。医学结论表 明，自2004年10月手术后，释某某已经丧失生育能力。对释某某做手术知情的李某某、王某某也证实了这一 点。
　　韩某恩系释某某2009年收养的弃婴。调查组曾约见知情人曹某某和李某某，经证实，2009年农历4月 的一个夜晚，曹某某外出倒垃圾时，发现了1名被遗弃的女婴(后取名韩某恩)，经与释某某联系，第二天曹某某 和李某某一起将该弃婴送到了释某某那里。
　　那么，网上晒出的相关户籍信息和韩某恩的出生证明，为何显示韩某恩为释某某(俗名韩某君)2009年所 生、且她俩都落户在释永信的母亲胡某某户头下？
　　调查组负责人表示，经调查，出生证明是释永信的侄子刘某委托老家某卫生院原防保科长张某某假借卫生院医 生之名伪造的。刘某曾在少林寺工作过，与少林寺慈幼院负责人释某某较熟悉，为帮助释某某实现收养一个孩子的 愿望，就委托别人开具了该证明。调查组走访了该卫生院原防保科长张某某和“出生证明”中被署名的医生，二人 均证实该“出生证明”系伪造。
　　公安户籍信息显示，韩某君、韩某恩户籍确在胡某某名下。经查，这是刘某为保证韩某恩能顺利落户，提前将 释某某的户口，用“韩某君”的名字，以亲属投靠为由，迁至自己奶奶、即释永信的母亲胡某某户头 下。
　　亲子鉴定证实，刘某亚是释永信四弟女儿
　　就释永信被举报与关某某生有一女刘某亚，调查组也进行了调查取证。
　　根据公安户籍信息显示并在调查中了解到，刘某亚是胡某某儿子、释永信四弟刘某彪的女儿。调查组与刘某彪 谈话中，刘某彪表示，刘某亚是自己的女儿，并愿做亲子鉴定。至于刘某亚的户口为何在胡某某户头下，刘某彪向 调查组解释说，他妻子是农村户口，当年是为给刘某亚办“商品粮”，才将孩子户口转到自己母亲那 儿。
　　由于刘某亚已24岁，24年前的出生资料调查组已无法在当地卫生院核查到。在等待刘某彪做亲子鉴定的过 程中，调查组走访了其老家两位邻居和其岳母，均证实刘某亚系刘某彪的亲生女儿。调查组又走访了刘某彪妻子陈 某某娘家所在的某某村，该村村委会和村支书也均证实刘某亚就是陈某某与刘某彪所生长女。
　　日前，刘某彪、陈某某、刘某亚的亲子鉴定结果出来了。调查组向记者展示了刘某彪提供的相关材料，亲子鉴 定证实，刘某亚确是刘某彪、陈某某的亲生女儿。
　　调查组负责人告诉记者，涉释永信被举报的经济和其它问题，正在依法依规调查之中。
　　相关报道：
　　释永信被实名举报玩弄女性 少林寺：恶意造谣已报案
　　7月26日有网友以少林寺弟子名义举报少林寺方丈释永信，称其违规违法、玩弄女人，26日晚少林寺称遭 恶意造谣已报案。少林寺方面回应记者称，少林寺并无实名举报的“正”字辈弟子，此前也无少林弟子举报方丈， 目前方丈和少林寺官方希望以法律途径还以清白。针对不实传言，方丈称“不辩解脱”。
　　释永信：还少林寺一个清白 我个人还无所谓
　　采取法律手段解决目前的风波，在释永信看来“是唯一的方法”。释永信表示：“这样能以正视听，还少林寺 一个清白，还佛教界一个清白，我个人还无所谓。”他说：“我个人真正有问题的话，不用通过网络这种贴大字报 的形式，可直接到有关部门。”释永信还表示，少林寺的网站每年都被人攻击、瘫痪好几次。
　　网传释永信女儿出生证明 当事医院称找不到存根
　　释正义在此前的举报中称，释永信与释延洁两人生有一女，名叫韩佳恩，并公布了出生证明。该证明上的签字 医生江如兰对北京青年报记者称，她从没有签署过这份出生证明。江如兰此前已被警方带走调查，目 前尚无结果。
　　举报人曝释永信被开除僧籍 少林寺：相信会调查清楚
　　举报人“释正义”向记者发来新的“证据”，称释永信早在1988年就被少林寺开除僧籍，并贴出释永信的 两个身份信息证明材料，以及释延洁等网帖中涉及人士的户籍信息。
　　探访释永信老家：大哥开武校拥有超市宾馆
　　记者来到释永信老家，见到了其母亲、两个兄弟及亲戚，其家人均表示，释永信没有妻女，其中所谓释永信大 女儿刘梦亚其实是老四刘应彪的女儿，但对于小女儿韩佳恩的身份，说法却不尽相同。
【编辑:李欢】

I'll post a Goog translation next.

[GeneChing]

Shi has been reported event survey results "illegitimate" not true

At 08:24 on November 28, 2015 Source: big river to participate in interactive 3

http://image1.chinanews.com.cn/cnsupload/big/2015/11-18/4-426/fd67680624d141aebbc18d5005912e71.jpg
****November 17 news, Dengfeng Shaolin annual winter "sophisticated seven" Chan Seven puja on November 16 officially open the fifth day of the lunar month of October, a total of seven weeks this Chan Seven, takes 40 nine days. Shaolin abbot Shi Yongxin day for the public disclosure. Shaolin Temple courtesy


Video: Shi reported findings are published "illegitimate" not true Source: CCTV News
Shi was reported nonobervant questionnaires there was a fruit
- Investigation Team Leader interview with this newspaper
The reporter Qu aryl
From July 25, the signature of a "release justice" to report issues related Shaolin Temple abbot Shi Yongxin postings began circulating on the Internet. Since then, Shi Yan Lu et al report real name, causing continuing concern society.

Reporters learned that, according to the report content, the parties in a fair and equitable province, according to quickly set up an investigation group in accordance with regulations in principle. Investigation team history through access to archival material, relevant units to verification, interviews questioning the parties, visits, etc. related personnel investigation. Meanwhile, the investigation team repeatedly went to Beijing, Shandong, Anhui, Shangqiu Dengfeng, etc. investigation, access to relevant evidence and other testimony of testimony.
Recently, it was reported about the issues involved Shi nonobervant investigation team leader accepted the newspaper interview.
Shi then "be moved to a single" false statement
Shi has been reported involving one of the main aspects of the violation of the precepts is "to be moved to a single (ie monks Fanjie be champagne out - Ed.)" Problem.
He reported that Shi had been appointed honorary abbot of Shaolin Temple Shi De Zen single move, the abbot of duties illegally obtained and published Shi "was moved to the single" materials: Chinese Buddhist Association Senate February 1, 1988 Ministry to release de Zen "reply", including "master as a temple of the Lord, through negotiation with the main deacon, the right to move a single" content; April 23, 1988 release of Shi de Zen " move a single instrument, "and so on.
Shi has long been really "move list" yet? After investigation, the investigation team confirmed: Shi year "is a single move," the claim is not true, individual human behavior without permission, is not valid, then the abbot qualifications obtained, such as law compliance.
Head of the investigation team, told reporters a list of four points by:
First, the so-called "single move was" not according to regulations Temple Shaolin Temple Management through collective research work program. After the investigation team access to historical archives, visited Shaolin Temple was alive staff member of the Commission, the Shaolin monk part of people, when cities and counties deal with religious cadres and members of the Working Group on issues Shaolin Temple, Shi Yongxin confirmed at the time of the so-called "single move "no study group meetings, the investigation team found no record of the discussions related to the meeting. Verified from the Shi "was moved to a single" process, the term "single move" is the unauthorized acts of individuals at the time internal quarrels situation.
Second, the Chinese Buddhist Association issued a "reply" but stressed that the monks moved to the general principle of a single problem, not specifically refer to a single issue Shi moved, after the Buddhist Association of China issued the "Telegraph" had this clarification. After investigation, the Buddhist Association of China Educational Ministry to release De Zen issued a "reply" February 1, 1988, the same year on May 3, the Buddhist Association of China has issued "telegram" and further stressed: "I would Educational Ministry de Zen Master caused before talking about the letter of the general principles of dealing with violations of the jungle temple monks moved to the single issue of regulation of the monks moved for order processing is a serious matter, should be careful. "" telegraph "also stressed that" a single move "should be subject to collective discussion, noted: "in the case of the German Zen Master sick, should identify the situation under the premise of the temple after leading members of collective discussion above documents is unavailable (refer to." reply "- Editor's note) as the basis of monks hasty move a single treatment. "
Third, Shi "was moved to the single" The problem has been the year of the Working Group that "invalid." August 1987 release row n abbot passed away in 1988, Shi Yongxin appeared "to be moved to a single" problem, the original composition of the Shaolin Temple in Dengfeng County Working Group on the related investigations, and Shi "has been moved to a single" problem made a clear conclusion: "individuals secretly moved Winson single, is wrong, is invalid, Winson is still the main members of the management committee, still perform their functions and duties."
Fourth, the abbot Shi Yongxin was approved qualifications obtained in Henan Buddhist Association of China Buddhist Association and report filing. Investigation team official told reporters that in 1996, 12 menstrual Shaolin democratic elections, any Shi Shaolin Temple Management Officer. Thereafter Abbot Shi Yongxin qualifications obtained, also undergo a rigorous audit reporting progressively. Archives show that the Buddhist Association of Henan Province, Henan Province, reported to the Bureau of Religious Affairs agreed to report to the Buddhist Association of China for the record, on April 15, 1999 issued a reply to the Zhengzhou City Buddhist Association: "Agree Songshan Shaolin Temple abbot Shi Yongxin as Master, and choose auspicious abbot enthroned ceremony was held. "The program, in line with the" National Chinese Buddhist temple management approach ", in line with" Chinese Buddhist abbot serving way. "
Hanmou En Department release certain adoption, after release has a certain loss of fertility continued next post

[GeneChing]

"Release of justice," the net posts and Shi Yan Lu et al report, the Shi mentioned there are two "illegitimate", where a girl with a certain release Hanmou En, a girl with a certain Liu Guan a sub. It has also become another focus of the content of the investigation team investigation.
"Shi Shi and certain daughters Hanmou En not true," said the survey team leader clear.
According to the person in charge of the introduction of the respondents, after investigation and verification, October 11, 2004 release because of certain "multiple uterine fibroids," a hospital stay, do the same month a total abdominal hysterectomy. According to clues, the investigation team at the hospital to consult on a certain interpretation of the "operation log file." Medical conclusion shows that, since the October 2004 operation, has been releasing certain loss of fertility. Surgery to release certain informed Moumou surname Wang also confirmed this.
Department release certain Hanmou En 2009 adopted abandoned baby. Investigation Group had met and insider 曹某某 Moumou, was confirmed in 2009 Lunar night in April, when Cao Moumou out the trash, found an abandoned baby girl (named after the Han Mouen ), by contact with a certain release, and the next day 曹某某 Moumou together the abandoned children sent there a certain release.
Well, the Internet was born out of the sun and the household registration information related 韩某恩 proof, why show 韩某恩 To address certain (common name Hanmou Jun) born in 2009, and both she settled in Hu Shi's mother under an account?
Investigation team official said, after investigation, the birth certificate is the nephew of Liu Shi home a commissioned original Fang Baoke hospitals hospitals under the guise of a doctor long Moumou fake name. Liu worked in the Shaolin Temple, Shaolin Temple Salesian School and head of a certain interpretation of the more familiar, to help achieve a certain interpretation of desire to adopt a child, it is entrusted to issue the certificate. The investigation team visited hospitals and primary Fangbao Ke Moumou long "birth certificate" was signed by a doctor, the second person confirmed that the "birth certificate" forged.
Public household information display, Han Moujun, Hanmou En Hu Moumou household registration in the name indeed. The investigation, which is to ensure the Hanmou En Ryu can successfully settled in advance will release certain account, with "Han Moujun" name, to join their relatives grounds, moved his own grandmother, that Shi's mother Hu Moumou next account.
Paternity test confirmed that Liu Shi Asia is the daughter of four brothers
Shi has been reported on and off certain birth to a daughter Liu Ya, the investigation team also conducted a survey of evidence.
According to the public security household registration information is displayed and learned in the investigation, Liu Hu Moumou son is Asia, Shi four brothers 刘某彪 daughter. Liu Moubiao conversation with the investigation team, Liu Moubiao said Liu Asia is his daughter, and is willing to do a paternity test. As for the sub-account of why Ryu under Hu Moumou account, 刘某彪 explained to the investigation team, his wife, rural areas account for the year to Liu sub do "grain", it will go to his mother where the child account .
Liu has been 24 years since the Asian, birth data investigation team 24 years ago, has been unable to verify the local hospitals. Waiting for Liu Moubiao do paternity testing process, the investigation team visited the home of its two neighbors and their mother, confirmed Liu Liu Moubiao subline daughter. Investigation team also visited the 刘某彪 wife Moumou certain village where her parents, the village party secretary and village committee also confirmed that Liu Moumou Asia and 刘某彪 grown woman.
Recently, the paternity test results Liumou Biao, Chen Moumou, Liu out of Asia. Investigation team showed reporters the 刘某彪 provide relevant materials, paternity test confirmed that Asia is indeed 刘某彪 Liu, Chen Moumou daughter.
Investigation team official told reporters, Shi involved in the economic and other problems are reported, according to the law are under investigation. Related reports:
Shi Yongxin, the Shaolin Temple was philandering real name: malicious rumor has been reported
July 26 netizen to Shaolin Temple abbot Shi Yongxin report on behalf of his disciples, saying violations of law, womanizer, 26th Shaolin Temple said was a malicious rumor has been reported. Shaolin Temple to respond to reporters that the Shaolin Temple is not the real name reported "positive" character generation disciple of Shaolin disciples had also reported no abbot, the current abbot of Shaolin Temple, and officials hope to have the legal means to innocence. For false rumors, the abbot said, "no excuse off."
Shi: Shaolin Temple is also an innocent I personally still do not care
Take legal means to resolve the current crisis, it seems in Shi "is the only way." Shi said: "This can set the record straight, but also an innocent Shaolin Temple, a Buddhist community also innocent, I personally still do not care." He said: "I personally have a real problem, not the network that put up a poster in the form of directly to the relevant departments. "said Shi Yongxin, the Shaolin Temple site are attacked each year, several times paralyzed.
Chuan Shi Network Hospital, said her daughter was born to prove the parties can not find the stub
In the previous release of Justice report said, and Shi Shi Yan Jie two life with a woman named Han Jiaen, and announced his birth certificate. The doctor signed the certificate on 江如兰 of Beijing Youth Daily reporter, she said she had not signed this birth certificate. Jiang Rulan had been taken away by the police investigation, there are no results.
Shi was expelled from informants exposed Shaolin monk membership: I believe the investigation will clear
Hair informants "Release justice" to reporters to new "evidence", said Shi Yongxin as early as 1988 it was expelled from the Shaolin monks membership, and posted two Shi identity proof material, and Shi Yan Jie Net household registration information people post involved.
Shi home visit: Big Brother has opened military school Supermarket Hotel
Reporter Shi came home, saw his mother, two brothers and relatives, their home per capita, said Shi Yongxin not his wife and daughter, in which the so-called sub-Lew Shi eldest daughter is actually the fourth of Liu Biao's daughter, but for small Han Jiaen daughter's identity, saying they are not the same.
[Editor: Li Huan]
Googtrans are getting better.

[rett2]

Googtrans are getting better.

Really?

"Shi was reported nonobervant questionnaires there was a fruit"
:confused:

[GeneChing]

What about the "12 menstrual Shaolin democratic elections" :p


Really?


I was being sarcastic. I should have added the :rolleyes: emoji.

:rolleyes:

[GeneChing]

Official investigation denies serial allegations against Shaolin abbot (http://www.ecns.cn/2017/02-05/244054.shtml)
1 2017-02-05 08:35 CRIENGLISH.com Editor: Li Yan

An investigation into allegations against Shi Yongxin, famed abbot of the Shaolin Temple and also referred to as China's CEO monk, has determined that the abbot is innocent of the many accusations that were made against him, reported Henan Daily.

A report on the now-completed investigation was released on Saturday, February 4th.

Early in 2015, authorities received anonymous tips claiming that the abbot was a womanizer, owned a small fleet of fancy cars, embezzled millions of dollars, and illegally possessed the assets of Shaolin Temple, a cradle of Kung Fu and Zen Buddhism nestled on Mount Song of Henan Province.

The official investigation found 15 fancy cars, including 4 imports and 11 domestic models, all registered to the Shaolin Temple, and determined the vehicles were used for daily work involving the temple.

Regarding a claim that Shi had asked for millions of yuan from his apprentice, investigators determined that the apprentice had given the abbot money ahead of Spring Festival in 2010 and 2012, but that was described as a tradition of Buddhism. Investigators say Shi used the money to develop the temple and to support the study of apprentices.

No evidence was found to support claims that Shi stole money that was raised by providing incense sticks to pilgrims. Revenue made from that practice are managed by the financial section of the temple, reports Henan Daily.

The official investigation also cleared Shi of the allegation that he illegally raised money under the name of building Century Bell on the top of Mount Song. There is no evidence of personal accumulation of money by unfair means, according to the investigation.

However, the allegation that the abbot had a second Hukou, China's household registration, under a different name turned out to be true. Investigation found that Shi's second Hukou under the name Liu Yingcheng had been canceled.

The investigation also found that the Shaolin Temple needs to improve its internal administration and financial section, reported Henan Daily.


Shaolin Temple monk found with two IDs: report (http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1031416.shtml)
By Zhao Yusha Source:Global Times Published: 2017/2/5 15:18:39

To most of the world, Shi Yongxin is the abbot of the world famous Shaolin Temple in Central China's Henan Province.

But an investigation into the abbot revealed Saturday that the 52-year-old monk still possessed his original hukou, or household registration, under his birth name, Liu Yingcheng, the Henan Daily reported.

Shi Yongxin's newest hukou, listing him as a Shaolin Temple resident, was issued in 1985, soon after he received his full precepts. His original hukou was issued in 1965.

Public security officials have cancelled his first hukou, according to investigators, adding that the abbot never used his original hukou since receiving the second bearing his Buddhist name, the report added.

Shi Yongxin, dubbed by media as the "CEO monk," has courted controversy for overly commercializing the Shaolin Temple by promoting lucrative kung fu shows and expanding the temple's brand globally.

In 2015, authorities received anonymous tips claiming that the abbot was a womanizer, personally owned a number of expensive cars, embezzled millions of yuan from the Shaolin Temple, and took bribes from an apprentice, news site china.com reported Saturday.

Shaolin Temple gained huge earnings through its commercialization, as well as donations from pilgrims, which appears excessive for a temple, said Xiong Kunxin, a professor of ethnic theory and policy at the Minzu University of China.

Investigators found 15 cars, including four imported and 11 domestic models, all registered to the Shaolin Temple, the Henan Daily reported.

The newspaper added that Shi Yongxin asked for millions of yuan from his apprentice Shi Yanlu between 2010 and 2012. Investigators said Shi Yongxin used the money to develop the temple and to support the studies of apprentices.

But investigators found no evidence to support claims that Shi Yongxin stole money raised from pilgrims, the report said.

Investigators also claimed that the temple had certain "management and financial issues that needed to be 'rectified,'" the report added.

Shi Yongxin's scandals tarnished the reputation of the Shaolin Temple and even Buddhism, said Xiong, adding that authorities should strengthen their supervision over religion affairs.

At least he doesn't have to deal with 'fake news'...:rolleyes:

[GeneChing]

No Evidence Shaolin Temple Abbot Shi Yongxin Stole Money from Pilgrims, But Temple Has Issue than Must be Corrected (http://en.yibada.com/articles/192291/20170206/no-evidence-shaolin-temple-abbot-shi-yongxin-stole-money-from-pilgrims-but-temple-has-issue-than-must-be-corrected.htm#)
Vittorio Hernandez | Feb 06, 2017 07:42 PM EST

http://images.en.yibada.com/data/thumbs/full/152471/685/0/0/0/chinese-kungfu-star-tv-contest-held-at-shaolin-temple.jpg
Chinese Kungfu Star TV Contest Held At Shaolin Temple (Photo : Getty Images)

Although Shaolin Temple abbot Shi Yongxin appears to live an affluent life with 15 cars registered to the temple, there is no evidence to back up accusations he stole money from pilgrims, investigators said. However, the probers said in their report that the temple has some financial and management issues that need to be corrected.
The investigation was triggered by anonymous tips in 2015 that besides owning a lot of expensive vehicles, Shi Yongxin allegedly is a womanizer, stole millions of yuan from the Shaolin Temple and accepted bribes from Shi Yanlu, an apprentice, between 2010 and 2012. However, the probe found that Shi Yanlu gave the money before the Spring Festival of 2010 and 2012 which was part of Buddhism tradition, ECNS reported.
Donations as well from pilgrims and the big money from commercializing operations of the Shaolin Temple seems excessive for the temple, Xiong Kunxin, Minzu University of China professor of ethnic theory and policy, said. But investigators found that the money from the apprentice was used to develop the temple and fund the studies of other apprentices, China.com reported.
China & Iran Co-Produce ‘Way of Shaolin’ to Satisfy Iranian Movie Fans’ Love for Kung Fu Movies
Also an issue that surfaced when the investigation occurred was that Shi Yongxin had two identification cards, according to Henan Daily. The first card, issued in 1965, is the original hukou, or household registration of the temple’s abbot under the birth name of 52-year-old Liu Yingcheng. The second hukou was issued in 1985 with his Buddhist name Shi Yongxin in which the Shaolin Temple was listed as his address. Public security officials just cancelled his first ID since he stopped using it since he got his Buddhist name, Global Times reported.
For promoting money-making kung fu shows in the temple and expanding Shaolin Temple’s brand globally, Shi Yongxin has been called by media “CEO monk.” Xiong proposed that because of these scandals which tainted the temple’s reputation and Buddhism, authorities need to strengthen their oversight over religious affairs.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSoqaJE2ulI


Hold the phone...if a temple can't make money through donations, how does it make money? Someone's gotta pay the rent. :confused:


China clears Shaolin temple’s ‘CEO monk’ of corruption (https://www.ft.com/content/b2fe493c-ecee-11e6-930f-061b01e23655)
Abbot was accused of embezzlement and fathering children out of wedlock

https://www.ft.com/__origami/service/image/v2/images/raw/http%3A%2F%2Fcom.ft.imagepublish.prod-us.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fffda27dc-ed05-11e6-ba01-119a44939bb6?source=next&fit=scale-down&width=700
Shaolin Temple Abbott arrives at last year's session of the National People’s Congress in Beijing © Getty

YESTERDAY by: Tom Hancock in Shanghai

The “CEO monk” who turned the kung-fu Shaolin temple into a sprawling commercial empire has been cleared by local officials of allegations that he funnelled money from religious businesses to fund a lavish lifestyle.

Saffron-robed Abbot Shi Yongxin disappeared for several months in 2015 after he was accused of embezzlement and fathering several children out of wedlock. The allegations created a storm in China, where a religious revival in recent decades has been accompanied by the commercialisation of Buddhist sites.

Mr Shi had been a high-profile promoter of the 1,500-year-old Buddhist institution on Song mountain, whose monks once created elaborate fighting systems and worked as mercenaries. He created a travelling troupe of performing monks that performs for paying audiences around the world, and travelled to Australia to present a $3.8m cheque for land for a kung-fu theme park, complete with a hotel and golf course.

As he travelled the world, he rubbed shoulders with luminaries including Apple’s chief executive Tim Cook, the late South African leader Nelson Mandela, Queen Elizabeth II and Henry Kissinger, while securing a place in China’s rubber-stamp legislature the National People’s Congress, a position generally reserved for business elites. A plan to list Shaolin on the stock market was mooted in 2009.

https://www.ft.com/__origami/service/image/v2/images/raw/http%3A%2F%2Fcom.ft.imagepublish.prod-us.s3.amazonaws.com%2F15a475ca-ed08-11e6-ba01-119a44939bb6?source=next&fit=scale-down&width=700
Monks attend a ceremony last month at the Shaolin Temple in Henan © AFP

But his rise was met with suspicion about an apparently indulgent lifestyle after he was gifted a Volkswagen SUV and spotted in an expensive cloak threaded with gold. He went to ground after an anonymous tipster claiming to be a temple monk posted allegations online that the official Buddhist Association said “affected the image and reputation of Chinese Buddhism”.

A government investigation team in the central province of Henan where the facility is located combed through the temple’s accounts and determined that Shi Yongxin’s stakes in companies were being held on behalf of the institution, the Henan Daily reported this week. A fleet of 15 automobiles were registered to the temple rather than Mr Shi, according to one of the investigators.

Several million renminbi donated by one of Mr Shi’s disciples between 2010 and 2012 were used to develop the temple and to support the studies of apprentices, the report said. “In the survey, we did not find the use of shareholdings to obtain dividends or other personal gain, and found no transfers of shares, forged accounts or personal invasion of Shaolin Temple assets,” an investigator said.

The investigation follows an earlier probe that dismissed Mr Shi’s alleged fathering of two children, but he did not emerge completely unscathed. It found that he was one of several monks who more than a decade ago had profited from selling incense, and that he had illegally held two household registrations.

The report added that one of the companies connected to the temple had taken on Rmb4m of debt to fund expanded facilities for visitors, who often expect free food when visiting Buddhist sites. Mr Shi could not be reached for comment.

Twitter: @hancocktom


CHINESE 'CEO' MONK HAS BEEN CLEARED OF EMBEZZLEMENT (http://europe.newsweek.com/monk-described-ceo-has-been-cleared-embezzlement-allegations-553570)
The head of the temple transformed it from a place of worship to a tourist destination.
BY ELEANOR ROSS ON 2/7/17 AT 4:42 PM

A Chinese monk who turned his 1,500 year-old temple into a commercial empire has been cleared by government officials of charges that he used temple funds to finance a luxury lifestyle.

The officials found that Abbot Shi Yongxin’s investments were carried out for the benefit of the temple and not for his personal gain, the FT reports.

Yongxin went into hiding in 2015 after a former disciple accused him of fathering children and embezzling money meant for the Shaolin Temple in Henan. The temple is widely regarded as the birthplace of Kung Fu, and features in many martial arts movies.

The abbot invested a lot of time and effort promoting the Shaolin Temple internationally and was nicknamed the CEO monk. According to the FT, he met Tim Cook, Nelson Mandela, and Queen Elizabeth II on his travels and in 2015, Yongxin went to Australia to establish a Kung Fu theme park.

The FT also reported that as the temple’s prestige grew, so did Yongxin’s luxury lifestyle, to the extent that he was given a car worth 1 million yuan ($145,000) for his services to tourism and bought a cloak made with gold thread, valued at around 160,000 yuan ($23,000)

However, government investigators—in China religious institutions are regulated by the state— cleared him of corruption, after finding that several million yuan donated by disciples, was used for renovation, repair, and other temple purposes.

The FT quoted the investigators telling the Henan Daily newspaper : “In the survey, we did not find the use of shareholdings to obtain dividends or other personal gain, and found no transfers of shares, forged accounts, or personal invasion of Shaolin Temple assets.”

Investigators did find the Abbot guilty of profiting from selling incense ten years ago but it was not clear if he faced any punishment.

[GeneChing]

There's a big difference between "exposed by Chinese media" and actually busted. Despite accusations, the Abbot has yet to be found guilty on any charges. Note that this is Epoch Times, the publication from Falun Gong (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?25214-FALUN-GONG-Falun-Dafa), which is in direct opposition to Shaolin.


https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2014/09/18/52599358-700x420.jpg
Shi Yongxin, abbot of the Shaolin Temple, walks out of the monastery premises in in Dengfeng City, Henan Province, China, on April 7, 2005. (Cancan Chu/Getty Images)

Chinese Monks Become ‘Sugar Babies’ for Wealthy Women (https://www.theepochtimes.com/chinese-monks-become-sugar-babies-for-wealthy-women_2803010.html)
BY FRANK FANG, EPOCH TIMES
February 15, 2019 Updated: February 16, 2019 Share

In ancient China, monks lived a celibate spiritual life and devoted their time to Buddhist studies.

But in modern-day China, some monks have led a sordid life at night while pretending to be religious practitioners during the day.

Song Zude, a well-known Chinese entertainment critic, recently wrote on his Sina Weibo account, a platform similar to Twitter, that some Chinese temples have begun contracting out a unique service.

A group of businessmen make special arrangements for monks—only those who are good-looking—to become male “sugar babies” for wealthy Chinese women.

Song wrote that some of these monks have come to earn as much as several million yuan a month (1 million yuan equals $147,650) from money and gifts that their female clients give.

Some monks have bought expensive sports cars and houses, while some have amassed enough wealth to become “sugar daddies” themselves and engage in relationships with younger women.

These monks continue to put on their monastery robes during the day, but put on a suit at night to meet with women.

On WeChat, a social media account with the name “Tian Ya Lian Xian” put up an article in response to Song’s claims.

The WeChat article stated that Song’s claims were not surprising, as it is widely known in China that businessmen take out such contracts with temples. In other words, monks are simply hired by these businessmen to provide sexual services.

According to the WeChat article, the businessmen also hire the monks to do fortune telling and carry out fake religious rituals to generate income for themselves.

Several well-known Chinese monks have engaged in similar promiscuous behaviors.

Shi Yongxin, abbot of the famous Shaolin Monastery and vice president of China’s state-controlled Buddhist Association of China, was exposed by Chinese media in 2015 to have fathered two illegitimate children. He was also accused of having illicit relationships with several women, including nuns and believers, as well as embezzling funds from the monastery.

According to Chinese state-run media The Paper, Shi was also a former member of China’s rubber-stamp legislature, the National People’s Congress, from 1998 to 2018.

In August last year, Xue Cheng, president of the Buddhist Association of China, quit his position after he was accused of sexually assaulting his female disciples and psychologically manipulating them. According to Reuters, he was also allegedly involved in a corruption scheme involving 10 million yuan ($1.64 million).

Xue was a Communist Party member who was part of the Standing Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, a political advisory body.

On Weibo, some Chinese netizens were stunned upon learning about Song’s claims.

A netizen from coastal China’s Zhejiang Province sarcastically wrote, “You can sign a contract with a temple? What a strange country.”

Meanwhile, a netizen from Beijing had a suggestion: “Let’s get some pieces of evidence and drive these monks out of the temples.”

THREADS
Buddhists behaving badly (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?68723-Buddhists-behaving-badly)
Abbot scandals (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?42909-Abbot-scandals)

[GeneChing]

Shaolin Temple denies rumors of Abbot Shi Yongxin passing mantle to son (https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202403/1309584.shtml)
By Global Times
Published: Mar 27, 2024 01:13 AM

On Tuesday morning, Shaolin Temple, the birthplace of Shaolin kung fu, issued a statement refuting claims that its abbot, Shi Yongxin, has passed on his role to his son, Shi Zheng'en.

Recently, some self-media accounts alleged that Shi Yongxin had transferred his responsibilities to his son, showing a photo of the two standing together.

Shaolin Temple's official account on Sina Weibo dismissed these rumors, labeling them as "malicious fabrications" and "serious defamation against Abbot Shi Yongxin."

"Such false information not only tarnishes the abbot's reputation but also damages the reputation of Shaolin Temple and the image of its monastic community. Furthermore, they intend to undermine Chinese Buddhism and manipulate the emotions of believers, which has sparked outrage within the Buddhist community domestically and internationally," read the statement.

According to the statement, Shaolin Temple and Shi Yongxin have reported the case to police to take legal action against those responsible for these rumors.

The hashtag "#Shaolin Temple debunks the rumor of Shi Yongxin's son inheriting mantle" went viral on Sina Weibo Tuesday, garnering over 20 million views and about 2,000 comments within a day.

"#Shaolin Temple debunks the rumor of Shi Yongxin's son inheriting mantle" is a long hashtag with spaces. I call BS on that part. Or it's just bad translating.