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William Zheng

China’s official national Buddhist association has established its first supervisory body less than six months after the high-profile downfall of the “CEO monk”, former Shaolin Temple abbot Shi Yongxin.
The move to improve oversight of Chinese Buddhist monks’ conduct was announced on Tuesday, a day after the Buddhist Association of China’s (BAC) 11th national congress concluded in Beijing.
Shi Zhengci, the abbot of Wuzu Temple in Huangmei county, Hubei province, was elected as the association’s chairman of the board of supervisors, according to the association, which is the national governing body for Buddhist affairs.
It comes about five months after former Shaolin Temple abbot Shi Yongxin was abruptly removed amid allegations of embezzlement, bribery and violations of Buddhist principles, dealing a major blow to the reputation of China’s monks.


For more than 25 years, Shi Yongxin served as the abbot of one of the world’s most famous Buddhist monasteries. In November, authorities announced that his arrest on multiple criminal charges had been formally approved, including the misappropriation and embezzlement of project funds and temple assets.
The former abbot was also accused of “seriously violating” the vow of celibacy required of Buddhist monks by maintaining “improper relations” with multiple women and fathering at least one child.
In July, the BAC said Shi Yongxin’s misconduct was “severely damaging to the reputation of Buddhism and the image of monks”. It formally cancelled his ordination certificate, effectively stripping him of his monastic status.
Meeting congress delegates on Monday, Wang Huning, head of the country’s top political advisory body, did not name the former abbot but urged the association to exercise “comprehensive and rigorous governance over the religion”, according to state news agency Xinhua.
Wang, China’s fourth-ranking official and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, told the group to “intensify efforts to raise awareness of the rule of law and guide clerical personnel to abide by the law, uphold monastic rules and precepts, and maintain the right faith and conduct”, Xinhua reported.
He stressed the importance of implementing the Communist Party’s policy on religious affairs and guiding Buddhist figures and believers to contribute to the country’s modernisation drive.
Wang also encouraged the association to foster people with expertise in both canonical teachings and traditional Chinese culture, and to expand international Buddhist exchanges.
Li Ganjie, head of the party’s Central United Front Work Department, also attended the meeting.
At its national congress, the association re-elected Shi Yanjue, abbot of Beijing’s Guangji Temple, as its president.
Separately, on December 15, Liu Ning, the party chief of Henan province, made an impromptu visit to Shaolin Temple, calling for a clear boundary between the temple and business.
In an “in-depth exchange” with Shaolin abbot Shi Yinle, Liu said he hoped that the temple’s new leadership would “return to the true teachings of the religion and safeguard the reputation and image of Shaolin Temple”.
Shi Yinle was transferred from White Horse Temple, also in Henan, to lead Shaolin Temple in July, days after Shi Yongxin’s removal.


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Shi Zhengci, the abbot of Wuzu Temple in Huangmei county, Hubei province, is the Buddhist Association of China’s new chairman of the board of supervisors. Photo: Handout

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Former Shaolin Temple abbot Shi Yongxin has been accused of misappropriation and embezzlement of funds and violating celibacy vows, among over misdeeds. Photo: Getty Images

Shi Yinle (centre), Shaolin Temple’s new abbot, previously served at White Horse Temple, another famous Buddhist site in Henan. Photo: Baidu

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China

Politics

Beijing’s fourth-ranking official Wang Huning urges association to exercise ‘comprehensive and rigorous governance over the religion’


Beijing’s fourth-ranking official Wang Huning urges association to exercise ‘comprehensive and rigorous governance over the religion’.


Shaolin Temple

Shi Yongxin

‘CEO monk’ scandal: China creates new oversight body for Buddhist clergy

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Beijing’s fourth-ranking official Wang Huning urges association to exercise ‘comprehensive and rigorous governance over the religion’

Beijing’s fourth-ranking official Wang Huning urges association to exercise ‘comprehensive and rigorous governance over the religion’