The kung fu temple at Shaolin has become one of the most recognisable symbols of Chinese culture in the English-speaking world.

In recent years, the Shaolin temple in Henan province in central China and its “CEO monk” Shi Yongxin, has capitalised, with some 40 Shaolin cultural centres around the world. But Master Shi, the Buddhist abbot of the Shaolin monastery, has been fighting off claims of “multiple sexual relations and embezzlement”. The temple’s grandmaster turned Shaolin into a multimillion-pound enterprise.
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The notice did not specify any of the claims. But the Associated Press carried reports that the accusations include claims that Master Shi fathered children with at least two women and embezzled temple funds. The Chinese State Administration for Religious Affairs said it has “paid great attention” to these reports.

A statement posted on the temple website dismissed the claims as “untrue rumours” which it said were fabricated by people seeking to harm Zen Buddhism. ..