Former Shaolin Temple Abbot Sentenced to 24 Years in Jail
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Liu Yingcheng, the former abbot of the world-famous Shaolin Temple better known as Shi Yongxin. Photo: VCG
A Chinese court has sentenced Liu Yingcheng, the former abbot of the world-famous Shaolin Temple better known as Shi Yongxin, to 24 years in prison for financial crimes including embezzlement and bribery.
The Xinxiang Intermediate People’s Court in central China’s Henan province handed down the verdict on Friday, also imposing a 3.5 million yuan ($515,000) fine on the former monk.
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- Former Shaolin Temple abbot Liu Yingcheng sentenced to 24 years for embezzlement (over 131 million yuan) and bribery.
- Court imposed a 3.5 million yuan fine; he confessed, showed remorse, and will not appeal.
- Probe began July 2025; Liu's commercialization of the temple drew public scrutiny.
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What Happened When
- 1995：
- Liu began paying bribes to state workers, spanning 27 years.
- 1999：
- Liu was installed as the 30th abbot of Shaolin Temple.
- 2003 to 2025：
- Liu embezzled over 131 million yuan during this period.
- 2006：
- Liu began accepting bribes for favors related to temple construction and business operations.
- 2012 to 2022：
- Liu misappropriated over 151 million yuan in temple funds for personal use.
- July 2025：
- The investigation into Liu began.
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