A former abbot of the Shaolin Temple, the ancient Buddhist monastery synonymous with kung fu, has been sentenced to prison for embezzlement. The case has drawn sharp criticism from the British government, which warns of escalating religious repression in China.
Shi Yongxin, the former head of the revered temple in Henan province, was found guilty of misappropriating temple funds and sentenced to 12 years in prison by a court in Henan on Wednesday. State media reported that he had abused his position to channel money into private accounts, but the UK Foreign Office said the case was part of a broader crackdown on religious freedom.
“This verdict raises serious concerns about the treatment of Buddhist institutions and the erosion of religious liberty under the Chinese Communist Party,” a spokesperson said. The UK has urged Beijing to uphold its international commitments to protect religious rights.
The Shaolin Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site, has long been a symbol of Chinese cultural heritage. But human rights groups say the prosecution of its senior clerics is a warning to any religious leaders who defy state control. The temple has been under increasing pressure to align with Communist Party ideology in recent years.
For ordinary worshippers, the case underscores the fragile balance between faith and state power. “The temple is our spiritual home,” said one devotee in Zhengzhou. “But now we fear that even our prayers are not safe.”
