The Scandal at Shao-lin Monastery

[Jundo]

The Abbot there, long known to be corrupt, has been arrested for financial embezzlement and other offences. It is not the first time. The main reason is that the place, although still a Chan monastery, is the center of a vast commercial enterprise focused on Kung Fu training. Yes, it is the famous monastery where Bodhidharma is said to have gone, sitting in a cave nearby.

I only know the story indirectly, but this fellow raised in Germany in a Chinese family, who spent 3 years training inside the main part of Shao-lin, has the best insights into the good and bad side of temple/training life there. Highly recommended. For example: https://youtube.com/shorts/dTZTfPHpw...VoMTG18TU4tMSk also https://youtube.com/shorts/XmqvtcRf8...c3Jt1j-qBwv6xQ. His longer videos are here, including this today on the Abbot's arrest (which he supports), also not to be missed to watch:
.

This is what money, power, politics and sex can do to any institution.

With all the money pouring into China now from overseas, leading to HUGH temple reconstruction projects all across China, I am sure it is not the only such case.

Sigh and Gassho, J
stlah

[Shinshi]

Yea, I read that article today. Crazy.

Gassho,

Shinshi

SaT-LaH

[Shoshin]

Thanks for sharing.
I'll share it with my sons. One of them has told several times that when he grows up (he just turned 16) he wants to go to China to study kung-fu in Shao-Lin ...

Gassho
Satlah

[Shui_Di]

Thank you for sharing Jundo,

It is so coincident that right now I am reading Zuimonki Book 2-1 and also Shoaku Makusa from Shobogenzo.

Eventhough in absolute point of view, the Reality has no right and wrong, but relatively there is something called "wrong". Any conducts which bring harm to one self or others are wrong doing.

Jundo was right, money power and sex if not handled carefully, it can destroy any institution. I think this is why in Buddha time in Sravaka Vinaya, there are a lot of prohibition about power sex and money, because it can disturb the monk's mind. (Eventhough there must be scandals like this Shaolin's one).

As a layman Mahayana practitioner, we are not exclude the using of power money and sex, because they can be used for useful purpose too for sentient beings. But we should be careful for its danger in using them.

Gassho, Mujo
Stlah