China’s Shaolin Temple scandal: disgraced head monk defrocked, firms deregistered

The swift move to erase the institutional footprint of the abbot of China’s most famous Buddhist sanctuary came a day after temple authorities said Shi was under investigation for criminal charges, including embezzling funds and temple assets.

The Buddhist Association of China, the national governing body for Buddhist affairs, expressed its strong support for the investigation and the subsequent actions taken.

In an official announcement on Monday, the association condemned Shi’s misconduct as “severely damaging to the reputation of Buddhism and the image of monks”.

The association said it had formally cancelled Shi’s ordination certificate, effectively stripping him of his monastic status.

No individual was above the law or the moral standards of their faith, the association added, emphasising its commitment to uphold the discipline and integrity of the Buddhist community.