The Shaolin Zone

[Drunk Monk]

Abbot of Luoyang’s White House Temple appointed as new abbot of Shaolin
Appointment follows criminal investigation into former abbot Shi Yongxin
By Global TimesPublished: Jul 29, 2025 08:55 PM
 

Shi Yinle Photo: VCG
Shi Yinle, abbot of the White Horse Temple in Luoyang, Central China's Henan Province, has reportedly assumed the position of abbot of the Shaolin Temple, according to a statement from the Shaolin Temple following the launch of an investigation into its former abbot.
According to a release from the Shaolin Temple on Tuesday, in accordance with the regulations on the appointment of abbots in Chinese Buddhist Temples, and upon the democratic deliberation and approval by the monastic community of Shaolin Temple, Venerable Yinle has been ceremoniously invited to assume the position of abbot of Shaolin Temple following due procedures. 
According to an introduction from the website of the White Horse Temple, Shi Yinle, whose secular surname is Yin Qingquan, was born in July 1966 in Tongbai, Henan Province. In 1982, he was tonsured as a monk on Tongbai Mountain. In September 1983, he received full ordination at Qixia Temple in Nanjing. He later studied at the monastic training program of Qixia Temple under the Buddhist Academy of China, and in 1986 he enrolled at the Buddhist Academy of China.
In October 2003, Shi Yinle was appointed by the Henan Buddhist Association to oversee the affairs of White Horse Temple. On November 1, 2005, Master Yinle was officially installed as the abbot of the White Horse Temple - bringing an end to the temple's eight-year vacancy in the abbot position, according to the release from the website. 
Shi Yinle previously served as a delegate to the seventh National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), and held the position of deputy secretary-general of the Buddhist Association of Henan Province.
The Buddhist Association of China announced Monday that it has agreed to revoke the ordination certificate of Shi Yongxin, abbot of the renowned Shaolin Temple, over suspected criminal offenses, according to the Xinhua News Agency. 
Shi Yongxin is under a joint investigation by several departments, the temple management office announced in a statement on Sunday.
Shi Yongxin is suspected of criminal offences, including embezzling and misappropriating project funds and temple assets. He has also been accused of serious violations of Buddhist precepts, maintaining long-term inappropriate relationships with multiple women and having at least one illegitimate child, Xinhua reported, citing the Shaolin Temple management office.
Shaolin Temple, in Central China's Henan Province, is internationally known for its deep-rooted kung fu tradition, per Xinhua.

 I've been to White Horse Temple three times but that was over 20 years ago. It's a major tourist temple - where Tripatika brought the Buddhist sutras from India to China (although they were translated at Shaolin).