Shaolin Temple, located in Dengfeng City, Henan Province, sits at the foot of the Shaoshi Mountains, surrounded by dense forests and high peaks which serve as its natural barriers 1.
It is said that Shaolin Temple was founded by Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty to accommodate Indian monks who came to spread Hinayana Buddhism. Later, Bodhidharma, the founder of the Chan Sect in China, arrived at Mount Song via Guangzhou and Nanjing by sea. At Shaolin Temple, he widely recruited disciples and promoted Buddhist doctrines. Since then, the status of Shaolin Temple as the birthplace of Chan Buddhism has been established 1.
Shaolin Temple is also world-renowned for its Shaolin Kung Fu, which gained great fame during the Sui and Tang dynasties. During the Yuan Dynasty, the temple had more than two thousand monks and became a prestigious Buddhist temple 1.
However, recently Shaolin Temple has been at the center of a deepening scandal as its abbot, Shi Yongxin, faces investigation for suspected criminal activity, including embezzlement and misappropriation of temple assets. In a rare public statement, the Shaolin Temple Management Office confirmed that Shi, often dubbed China's "CEO Monk" for his aggressive commercialization of Buddhist culture, is under joint investigation by multiple government agencies 2.
Under Shi's leadership, the 1,500-year-old temple has evolved into a sprawling business empire—one that spans tourism, cultural products, livestream sales, property development, and even overseas real estate 2.
Today, Shaolin Temple draws up to 4 million tourists annually. Based on average spending estimates of 300 yuan per visitor, ticketing and package sales at the Songshan Shaolin Scenic Area could bring in over 1.2 billion yuan ($165 million) in revenue. Approximately 30% of that goes to the temple itself. That's just the start. Incense offerings, donation boxes, martial arts academies, and online shops contribute additional revenue. Its commercial arm—Henan Shaolin Intangible Asset Management Co.—manages over 700 registered trademarks and handles IP licensing for everything from instant noodles to mobile games 2.
The temple also boasts a robust digital presence, selling branded teas, wellness products, and incense through its proprietary app and livestreams. A 2021 debut on Douyin, China's version of TikTok, raked in 5 million yuan in a single session 2.
Despite the recent controversies, Shaolin Temple remains a significant cultural and religious landmark, reflecting both the spiritual heritage and the evolving commercial landscape of modern China.
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