A Shaolin monk performs during a show in southwest China's Chongqing municipality. (Photo : Reuters)
The Zishou Temple in Lingshi township in Shanxi Province continues to undergo changes based on the expansion scheme started by Shaolin Temple since 2014.
Nicknamed "the fashionable monk," 28-year-old Master Yanbang earned his monicker for being knowledgeable in painting, calligraphy and tea ceremony. The monk also reportedly lived abroad for 12 years.
Master Yanbang was the abbot of the Zishou Temple when the Shaolin Temple took over it in 2014. Four temples in Henan have also been taken over in 2008 by the Shaolin as part of its commercial expansion scheme, the Global Times said.
According to the report, Master Yanbang was able to attract 22 other monks to live in the temple. Prior to the takeover in 2014, Zishou had only two monks and only a few tourists visit the temple, which receives government support and maintenance that costs one million yuan ($160,000).
The takeover of Zishou was part of the contract between the government and Shaolin which allows it to manage the temple for 30 years, the report said.
For its part, Shaolin has agreed to deploy a crew to reside in the temple and take care of Zishou's cultural relics, as well as manage the religious services and cultural affairs.
The report said that after the takeover, the temple took in visitors for free and the local government used the temple's connection to Shaolin kung fu to lure tourists, contributing to the local economy.
