Scandal at world-famous Shaolin monastery as controversial abbot is accused of fathering illegitimate son and hiding £2billion in secret bank account
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.
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.
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.
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.