Mohan Sinha
31 May 2026, 03:01 GMT+10
BEIJING, China: Shi Yongxin, the former abbot of China's Shaolin Temple, was sentenced to 24 years in prison for crimes such as embezzlement and bribery, according to state media on May 29.
Shi, who is 60 years old, was officially charged in March this year after being placed under investigation in July last year.
A court in Henan province in central China gave the sentence, saying that Shi misused his position to steal, misuse funds, and both take and give bribes totaling about 300 million yuan (around US$44.33 million) over nearly 30 years.
The 60-year-old had led the temple for more than 25 years but was removed from his role last year after a series of scandals. Authorities said the case involves several financial crimes, although the exact amounts have not been fully revealed.
The controversy goes beyond financial issues. Shi has also been accused of breaking Buddhist rules, including having improper relationships and fathering a child, claims that shocked many people because of his position as a well-known monk.
Shi had become famous for turning Shaolin into a global brand, but later drew attention for concerns about money, power, and influence within China's religious institutions.
Get a daily dose of Illinois Intelligencer news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Illinois Intelligencer.
More InformationWashington, DC [US], May 31 (ANI): US President Donald Trump has ignited fresh debate online after circulating an artificial intelligence-generated...
Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], May 31 (ANI): Ahead of International Yoga Day, yoga practitioner and entrepreneur Asha Dipika met...
New Delhi [India], May 30 (ANI): Outgoing Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi has outlined the Indian Navy's roadmap...
The world continues to await US President Donald Trumps reaction to a proposed framework to extend the current cease-fire with Iran,...
Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], May 31 (ANI): Ahead of International Yoga Day, yoga practitioner and entrepreneur Asha Dipika met...
Singapore, May 31 (ANI): US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has stated that the American naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz is 'very...
BEIJING, China: Shi Yongxin, the former abbot of China's Shaolin Temple, was sentenced to 24 years in prison for crimes such as embezzlement...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: A U.S. judge on May 29 temporarily stopped President Donald Trump's administration from creating a nearly US$1.8...
PARIS, France: French lawmakers voted on May 28 to officially cancel old slavery-era laws that treated enslaved people as property...
DUBAI, U.A.E.: The U.S. military said on May 28 that Iran broke a fragile ceasefire after Kuwait reported being attacked following...
VIENTIANE, Laos: Five people who were trapped inside a cave in Laos for about a week were found alive on May 27. Rescue teams from...
BERLIN, Germany: A man suspected of helping a convicted attacker carry out a stabbing at Berlin's Holocaust Memorial was arrested in...
