释永信和他的全球化商业之路

Core Viewpoint - The recent allegations against Shaolin Temple's abbot Shi Yongxin, including criminal activities and moral violations, have sparked significant public outrage and scrutiny of his extensive commercial empire [2][8]. Group 1: Background of Shi Yongxin - Shi Yongxin, born Liu Yingcheng in 1965, became the abbot of Shaolin Temple in 1987 and has since played a pivotal role in its commercialization [2]. - He was elected as the president of the Henan Buddhist Association in 1998 and later as the vice president of the Chinese Buddhist Association in 2002 [2]. Group 2: Commercialization Efforts - Starting in the 1990s, Shi Yongxin demonstrated exceptional business acumen by registering the Shaolin Temple's domain name in 1996, making it one of the first religious institutions to embrace digitalization [3]. - In 1997, he established the Henan Shaolin Temple Industrial Development Co., marking the beginning of the temple's commercial journey [3]. - The temple's commercial activities expanded into various sectors, including culture, food, pharmaceuticals, and apparel [3]. Group 3: Expansion in the 21st Century - The commercialization accelerated in the 21st century, with the establishment of Shaolin Publishing House in 2002 and Shaolin Happy Land Co. in 2003, focusing on Buddhist products and consulting services [5]. - By 2019, sales from Shaolin Medicine, which was revitalized in 2004, exceeded 80 million yuan, establishing it as a popular brand in traditional Chinese medicine [5]. - The temple also ventured into e-commerce, launching a Taobao store in 2008, which evolved into a cultural lifestyle brand by 2015, achieving sales of 23 million yuan by 2020 [5]. Group 4: International Outreach - Shi Yongxin led the Shaolin Monk Troupe to perform at Buckingham Palace in 1999, and the troupe now conducts over 200 global performances annually, with ticket revenues increasing from $100,000 to $500,000 per show [6]. - The temple has diversified its income through various means, including licensing video games and developing music, resulting in the registration of 795 trademarks across multiple industries [6]. Group 5: Controversies and Criticism - Despite the commercial success, Shi Yongxin's approach has faced criticism for straying from the core values of Buddhism, with high ticket prices and frequent commercial activities raising concerns about the temple's integrity [6]. - Allegations of personal misconduct and financial impropriety have been persistent, with a notable public accusation in 2015 that highlighted various issues, including asset misappropriation [8]. Group 6: Implications for the Religious Sector - The ongoing scandal has exposed significant gaps in the oversight mechanisms within religious organizations, emphasizing the need for improved governance and transparency [8][9]. - The incident serves as a wake-up call for the religious community to reflect on maintaining the essence of faith while balancing commercial interests, ensuring that spiritual values are not compromised by profit motives [9].