Shaolin Temple Scandal - The Symbol of Chinese Martial Arts Shaken

The event of the abbot of Shaolin Temple, Grand Master Thich Vinh Tin, being suspended from his position and placed under criminal investigation is shaking the Chinese martial arts world.

Shaolin Temple abbot - Thich Vinh Tin (middle) - Photo: CN

On July 27, the official WeChat account of Shaolin Temple confirmed that Mr. Thich Vinh Tin is being investigated by many interdisciplinary agencies with serious accusations: embezzlement of project capital and temple assets, violation of monastic discipline, long-term illicit relationships with many women, and having at least one illegitimate child.

At the same time, the temple also announced that he had been suspended from his position as abbot to serve the investigation.

“We are committed to fully cooperating with the authorities, and will promptly inform the public as the case progresses,” the statement said, as quoted by mainstream news sites such as The Paper and Sina Finance.

These accusations are not new. In 2015, a person claiming to be a former Shaolin disciple accused Mr. Vinh Tin of using temple money for personal purposes, raising illegitimate children, and having extramarital relationships.

At that time, the Henan provincial government intervened but concluded that there was not enough evidence to handle the case. However, this time, the incident was announced by Shaolin Temple itself in advance, with a tougher and more serious tone, leading the public to believe that the accusations could no longer be covered up as before.

Immediately after the information was confirmed, a wave of criticism erupted across Chinese social media platforms and mainstream media.

Phoenix News quoted commentator Hu Xijin as saying this was "the biggest religious scandal in years" and warned of consequences for Shaolin Temple's long-standing reputation.

Sina newspaper did not hide its concerns when questioning the transparency in the operation of religious assets: "Shaolin is a national symbol, but for too long it has operated like a business with its leader both practicing and managing."

Not only domestically, the international press also closely followed and expressed deep disappointment. Financial Times emphasized that Mr. Thich Vinh Tin - the man who once turned Shaolin Temple into a global brand, known as the "CEO of the temple", is now facing accusations that seriously damage his personal reputation and the image of a symbol of martial arts and Chinese cultural heritage.

AP News published an article with the headline “Shaolin Temple Abbot Investigated for Embezzlement and Having an Illegitimate Child,” emphasizing the negative impact on Chinese culture.

South China Morning Post, in an article on July 28, assessed that the incident "has caused a stir not only in the Buddhist community but also in the international martial arts community".

Abbot Thich Vinh Tin has long been criticized - Photo: QQ

Shaolin Temple has long been considered the cradle of Chinese martial arts, the birthplace of many martial arts schools and moral values. “It is hard to imagine that the abbot of such a sacred place would be accused of violating both martial arts precepts and ethics,” the article said.

Deccan Herald (India) called this a big shock to those who once considered Shaolin as a spiritual symbol of the East, a place where spirituality and martial arts are harmonized.

Reactions from the martial arts community also showed deep disappointment. On Chinese martial arts forums, many expressed feelings of betrayal.

A martial arts master surnamed Zhang, who once led students to Shaolin for training, told Sina Sports that he felt “embarrassed because he had introduced Shaolin as a place of purity and exemplary conduct.” On Weibo, the hashtag “Shaolin in turmoil” has reached over 200 million views in just two days, accompanied by thousands of angry comments.

HUY DANG

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/be-boi-thieu-lam-tu-bieu-tuong-vo-hoc-trung-quoc-lung-lay-20250728111335454.htm