Former Abbot Sentenced for Financial Crimes
Shi Yongxin,the former abbot of a well-known temple in China, received a 24-year prison sentence for financial misconduct,including bribery and embezzlement . A court in the heart of country announced the verdict on Friday.
During the trial,it came to light that Shi,born Liu Yingcheng, misappropriated over 282 million yuan (about $42 million) meant for the temple. His fraudulent schemes unfolded over several years,using his official position to divert funds from construction projects. He also bribed numerous government officials to smooth his operations.
The historic temple,known for its deep connections to martial arts, attracts countless visitors and disciples each year,both from China and abroad. Shi took on role of abbot in 1999 and quickly made temple a global powerhouse.
Often called the "CEO monk," he played a key role in broadening the temple's influence,setting up training schools outside China, and forming a traveling group of monks who performed traditional martial arts.
Last year,the national Buddhist association stripped Shi of his monk status amid ongoing scrutiny. He faced an investigation in 2015 for similar financial issues and personal conduct but was cleared of those allegations. In an interview with BBC Chinese back then,he said:
"If there were a problem,it would have surfaced long ago."
The temple has also carved out a spot in popular culture,appearing in films since 1982 with well-known actors and inspiring video games like a spin-off of Mortal Kombat. American hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan has referenced this iconic site in their music .
