Ex-Shaolin abbot jailed 24 years for embezzlement and bribery

Former Shaolin Temple abbot Shi Yongxin, born Liu Yingcheng, has been sentenced to 24 years in prison for embezzlement and bribery, after misappropriating more than 282 million yuan from 2003 to 2025 and using his position to secure funds from temple construction projects; he admitted guilt and will not appeal. He helped transform the temple into a global brand with overseas schools and a traveling kung fu troupe before being defrocked last year.