Abbot of Shaolin monastery defrocked for embezzlement of temple funds

The Buddhist Association of China has decided to defrocket the abbot of the Shaolin Monastery, Shi Yongxin. This was reported by the Hong Kong broadcaster RTHK, citing a statement from the association.

"The Association believes that the nature of Shi Yongxin's actions is very bad and has seriously tarnished the reputation of the Buddhist community. <...> The Association has made a firm decision to deal with Shi Yongxin in accordance with the law," the statement said.

Shi Yongxin is suspected of criminal offenses, embezzlement of temple funds, prolonged inappropriate relationships with several women and having illegitimate children, as well as serious violations of Buddhist precepts.

In November last year, in Thailand, the deputy rector of a Buddhist temple in the city of Mahasarakham was accused of spending 2 million baht (5.7 million rubles) from parishioners' donations on his mistress. The parishioners of the temple found out about the story after the girl told about an affair with a high-ranking cleric Tinnaphon Chaiphu and shared photos of expensive gifts and large money transfers from him.

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