“Buddhist 996” enforced at China’s Shaolin Temple as a mark of Reformation.

The introduction of tight-gripped work schedules known as “Buddhist 996” reform, has swept through the internationally renowned Shaolin Temple. The new rules introduced, in the wake of an investigation pertinent to financial irregularities, and sexual misconduct of the former Shaolin abbot, Shi Yongxin, immediately after the appointment of his successor, Shi Yinle.

After the downfall of Shi Yongxin, who led the famous temple in central China’s Henan province for more than two decades, it was announced that Shi Yinle, the abbot of The White Horse Temple, had taken over leadership. Shi Yinle, who is 59, acclaimed for his low profile, dedicated leadership style during his 20-year tenure at The White Horse, was appointed Abott of the Shaolin Temple which is China’s first Buddhist temple on 29^th. July.

On taking office, he immediately announced five sweeping reforms. They were:

halting commercial activities;

banning high-priced consecration rituals;

removing temple shops;

promoting monastic self-sufficiency through farming;

overhauling income distribution by eliminating previously criticised fees.

While implementing Buddhist 996, the Abott has expressed concern that some monks had strayed from the spiritual path.

The new abbot cited examples such as monks ordering takeaway food in meditation rooms or listening to pop music with earphones during chanting. He has also suspended international tours by the Shaolin Temple’s Martial Arts team, along with cultural and creative shops and online shops that were once key revenue sources. In addition, a “bottom-tier elimination system” has been put in place, under which monks who fail assessments for three consecutive months may be required to leave.

Monks are now required to participate in morning prayers at 04.30 am, followed by farming and then Zen martial arts practice in the afternoon. Mobile phones need to be stored in a central storeroom, and all forms of entertainment are banned. Screen time has been reduced to just 30 minutes.

The diet has also become stricter, consisting mainly of vegetables, with tofu permitted only once a week. The demanding schedule and lifestyle reforms have been humorously dubbed by netizens as “Buddhist 996” in reference to the work culture in some Chinese tech companies where employees work from 09.00 am to 09.00 pm, six days a week.

The move has reportedly triggered a wave of resignations. Within a week of the new abbot’s appointment, more than 30 monks and staff reportedly left the temple. It is unclear whether they have been transferred to other temples or left entirely.

Team Maverick