Bangkok: The former abbot of China's renowned Shaolin Temple has been sentenced to 24 years in prison for financial crimes, including embezzlement, fraud, misappropriation of funds, and accepting and paying bribes.
According to Thai News Agency, the Xinxiang Intermediate People's Court in Henan Province sentenced 60-year-old Liu Yingcheng, formerly known by his monastic name Shi Yongxin, to 24 years behind bars. Alongside the prison sentence, Liu was ordered to pay a fine of 3.5 million yuan (approximately 16.9 million baht). He pleaded guilty to the charges and opted not to appeal the court's decision.
The court detailed that Liu Yingcheng, leveraging his roles as abbot and chairman of the Shaolin Charity Foundation, embezzled over 131 million yuan (approximately 632 million baht) from the temple's funds. He also misused another 151 million yuan (approximately 728 million baht) for personal purposes between 2012 and 2022, failing to return the funds within the required timeframe. Liu was found accepting bribes totaling more than 11.63 million yuan from construction contractors and businesses in exchange for favorable treatment in various projects. Additionally, he bribed government officials with over 5.67 million yuan for illicit advantages.
Liu Yingcheng became the abbot of the Shaolin Temple in 1999 and played a significant role in transforming the 1,500-year-old temple into a globally recognized brand. His efforts included establishing subsidiary companies, organizing global kung fu tours, and expanding commercial ventures, earning him the nickname "CEO Monk" in the media. In July 2025, Liu was suspended and subjected to a comprehensive investigation before being expelled from the monastic order and losing his monkhood status as decreed by the Buddhist Association of China. Beyond the financial crimes, he faced accusations of violating monastic rules, including maintaining long-term relationships with multiple women and concealing the existence of children.
In response to the court ruling, the Chinese Buddhist Association issued a statement emphasizing the importance of adherence to the law by all individuals. The association highlighted the ruling as a crucial reminder for the monastic community in China to focus on the core tenets of religion and delineate clearly between religious duties and commercial interests.