The Buddhist Association of China Again Criticizes Shi Yongxin: Pursuing Pleasure and Burying the Dharma Body and Wisdom Life

Shi Yongxin, the abbot of Shaolin Temple, has been expelled from the Buddhist community for suspected criminal offenses and violating Buddhist precepts, and is under investigation. On Thursday (7th), the Buddhist Association of China again issued a statement, saying that Shi Yongxin’s problems serve as a wake-up call for China’s Buddhist community, calling for the resolute removal of bad elements among the clergy to safeguard the solemn image of Buddhism.

On July 27, Shaolin Temple’s management office issued a notice stating that Shi Yongxin was suspected of criminal offenses, misappropriating and embezzling project funds and temple assets, “maintaining improper relations with multiple women over a long period and fathering illegitimate children,” which are serious violations of Buddhist precepts. He is currently under joint investigation by multiple authorities.

On July 28, the Buddhist Association of China issued an announcement declaring its “resolute support” for the lawful handling of Shi Yongxin. According to relevant regulations, the association agreed to revoke Shi Yongxin’s (secular name Liu Yingcheng) ordination certificate.

On the 7th of this month, the Buddhist Association of China published an article on its official website stating that Shi Yongxin’s actions not only ruined his own dharma body and wisdom life, but also tarnished the Buddhist ethos, damaged the social image of monks, and had a seriously negative impact on the healthy transmission of Buddhism.

The article noted that the serious problems of Shi Yongxin have sounded an alarm for the national Buddhist community of China. The Buddhist Association of China firmly supports the authorities’ lawful investigation and handling of Shi Yongxin, deeply draws lessons from his case, vigorously advances comprehensive and strict governance of religion, and always adheres to “taking precepts as the teacher.”

The article said the Association is advancing the comprehensive and strict governance of Buddhism, disciplining and punishing clergy who violate regulations and precepts in accordance with the rules, and implementing a notification system for offenders. However, problems of lax discipline still exist in the Buddhist community, and violations of precepts—including fundamental ones—by clergy continue to occur from time to time.

The article bluntly stated that those like Shi Yongxin, with no reverence for the precepts, indulging themselves, chasing fame and profit, and pursuing pleasure, flagrantly breaking precepts and even falling into the abyss of crime—not only destroy their personal futures but also bring disgrace to the whole Buddhist community.

The article said that it is essential to resolutely punish clergy who violate precepts, resolutely remove bad elements from the ranks of clergy, steadfastly uphold the healthy body and pure, dignified image of Buddhism, and promote the healthy transmission of Buddhism in China.

The Buddhist Association of China stated that Shaolin Temple should strive to become a pure place upholding precepts and law, and should endeavor to be “a Buddhist venue in the new era that embraces the Party and loves the country.”

On the 7th, the Buddhist Association published an article titled "To Be Called Number One Under Heaven Is About Chan, Not Martial Arts—The Historical Mission and Contemporary Responsibility of the Modern Shaolin Temple" on its website. On the same day, the Association also published an article titled “Adhering to the Precepts as Teacher, Promoting the Healthy Continuation of Buddhism in Our Country,” criticizing Shi Yongxin for bringing shame to the entire Buddhist community.

The article titled “To Be Called Number One Under Heaven Is About Chan, Not Martial Arts” stated that Shaolin Temple has become the fundamental ancestral home of Chinese Chan Buddhism and an important symbol of Buddhism’s Sinicization. At a new historical starting point, Shaolin Temple must courageously shoulder its historical mission and contemporary responsibility, taking the Sinicization of Buddhism as an opportunity to revitalize the school, carry on the founders’ virtues, and set an example for all Chan monasteries.

The article said that as the ancestral home of Chan, Shaolin Temple must set an example in revitalizing the sect and promoting Chinese Chan culture. “The distinctive feature of Chinese Buddhism is Chan.” As the birthplace of Chinese Chan, Shaolin Temple is a major benchmark for Chan monasteries and an important symbol of the Sinicization of Buddhism, and has long attracted attention from society both domestically and abroad.

Therefore, the article argues that in the new era, Shaolin Temple must correctly understand and position the historical transmission of the ancestral seat of Chan, adhere to its original aspiration and bravely take on its mission, actively inherit the spirit of Chinese Chan, vigorously promote Chan culture, exert the ancestral temple’s cohesion and influence, and play its due constructive role in driving the practice of Buddhism’s Sinicization.

The article emphasized that Shaolin Temple must inspire the sect’s ethos, transmit the lamp and carry on the ancestors’ legacy, and strive to become the leading ancestral home for monastic, sectarian, academic, and disciplinary ethos among Chan monasteries. “It must live up to its mission, keep forging ahead, and strive to become a Buddhist venue in the new era that embraces the Party and loves the country, advances comprehensive and strict governance of Buddhism, and deepens the practice of the Sinicization of Buddhism in our country.”