The former leader of China’s historic Shaolin Temple, widely recognized as the cradle of kung fu, has been handed a 24-year prison sentence following a high-profile corruption trial. Shi Yongxin, who served as the temple’s abbot for over two decades, was found guilty of significant financial misconduct, including embezzlement and bribery. A court in Henan province determined that between 2003 and 2025, Shi misappropriated temple assets totaling more than 282 million yuan, equivalent to approximately $42 million.

Beyond the embezzlement charges, the court found that Shi leveraged his influential position to illicitly profit from various temple construction projects. Furthermore, he was convicted of providing substantial bribes to government officials to secure his interests. Following the verdict, Shi, born Liu Yingcheng, acknowledged his guilt and confirmed he would not pursue an appeal. This sentencing marks a definitive end to his tenure at the 1,500-year-old institution, which had previously defrocked him following the initial investigations.

Shi rose to prominence in 1999, earning the moniker “CEO monk” for his aggressive efforts to modernize the temple and expand its influence globally. Under his guidance, the Shaolin brand grew to include international martial arts schools and a traveling performance troupe that showcased the temple’s signature kung fu style. Despite his success in turning the site into a global cultural phenomenon—referenced frequently in films, music, and video games—his legacy is now permanently tarnished by the scale of his criminal activities.