Shaolin monks become farmers.

In front of the Shaolin Temple gate, the new abbot, Thich An Lac, planted a cypress tree, naming it "Thanh Ban Thu" (Poverty-Free Tree) - symbolizing the changes he aims for at the thousand-year-old temple, following the turmoil caused by the scandal involving former abbot Thich Vinh Tin.

The new abbot of Shaolin Temple, Shi Yinluo, is familiar with farming life - Photo: BAIJIAHAO

The Shaolin Temple's policy of austerity and simplicity.

The land where the "green trees" are planted was brought back by Venerable Thich An Lac from Bach Ma Temple, where he served as abbot for many years before taking over Shaolin Temple.

Shaolin Temple may be globally renowned for its ancient martial arts system and the cultural values ​​disseminated through martial arts novels. But within the Chinese Buddhist community, the White Horse Temple holds an even greater significance.

The White Horse Temple, built by Emperor Han Ming in 68 AD, is considered the first official Buddhist temple in China, and is 500 years older than the Shaolin Temple.

The White Horse Temple is also an ancient temple frequently visited by emperors of the Han and Tang dynasties, holding a highly revered position in Chinese Buddhism.

And when former Shaolin Temple abbot Shi Yongxin (secular name Liu Yingcheng) was dismissed from his position due to a series of scandals that were exposed in July 2025, the Buddhist Association of China appointed Shi Yinluo - abbot of Bai Ma Temple - as his replacement at Shaolin Temple.

Venerable Thich An Lac replaces Thich Vinh Tin - Photo: XHN

Located in the same province of Ha Nam , the two temples are only about 50km apart. But that wasn't the reason Thich An Lac was chosen.

Wei Dedong, a professor at the Institute of Buddhist and Religious Studies at Renmin University of China, once described Venerable Thich An Lac – who is now 60 years old – as a "simple and humble" person.

Bill Porter, an American sinologist, also had a very positive impression of Thich An Lac when speaking to Phoenix.com.

The American researcher said that he himself used to wander around Bach Ma Pagoda, asking children about the abbot and often heard them call him "the farmer."

Venerable Thich An Lac loved farming, often personally working in the fields, and championed a self-sufficient lifestyle within the monastery.

There's still much to look forward to.

That is also the guiding principle that Master Thich An Lac brought to Shaolin Temple when he took over the abbotship from Thich Vinh Tin - who was dismissed because of a scandal that is perhaps the biggest stain on the thousand-year history of Chinese Buddhism.

According to the United Daily News, immediately after Abbot Thich An Lac took office, he issued "five major regulations" aimed at shifting the temple's business activities towards a simpler lifestyle.

These changes included: eliminating purely commercial martial arts performances; banning high-fee rituals such as "peace incense" and "family blessing incense"; removing shops from temple grounds; encouraging monks to grow their own crops for self-sufficiency; and readjusting the internal income distribution system.

Shaolin Temple remains bustling with tourists - Photo: IFENG

In addition, the new abbot proposed a traditional monastic lifestyle: monks and nuns must wake up early to chant scriptures, work in the fields during the day, meditate or practice martial arts in the afternoon, and meditate together at night.

At the same time, mobile phones were confiscated in large numbers, and forms of entertainment were strictly restricted. Several clergy members were alleged to be involved.

Instead of being sold, the incense sticks for peace are now being given away as souvenirs, and some other souvenir items have also been reduced to the lowest possible prices.

These new regulations are not intended to completely eliminate the Shaolin Temple's business system. Tourists still flock to the temple, and its martial arts centers still enroll thousands of students each course.

Former abbot Thich Vinh Tin has been officially indicted - Photo: XHN

But things weren't that simple. Professor Wei Dedong said he had warned Abbot Shi Yinluo that "taking over Shaolin Temple would involve many complications," News Ifeng quoted him as saying.

According to an article on Baijiahao, the business rights of some shops formerly affiliated with the Shaolin Temple were acquired by outside companies many years ago, creating a complex and overlapping business system – allegedly related to the embezzlement of public funds by Shi Yongxin in the past.

This is beyond the control of the new abbot, Thich An Lac, and largely depends on the authorities in Ha Nam province prosecuting Thich Vinh Tin.

Nevertheless, beneath the canopy of the "sacred tree," the thousand-year-old temple, the sacred birthplace of Chinese external martial arts, is gradually transforming itself.

On March 20, the former abbot of Shaolin Temple, Master Shi Yongxin (secular name Liu Yingcheng), was indicted by the People's Procuratorate of Xinxiang City, Henan Province, China, on four charges.

According to the South China Morning Post , these four charges include embezzlement, misappropriation of public funds, receiving bribes, and giving bribes. The charge of giving bribes was added when Shi Yongxin was arrested last November.

HUY DANG

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/cac-nha-su-thieu-lam-tu-lam-nong-20260322201533904.htm