amoy
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Now Buddhist temples are amassing $$$ super rich they're nowadays.
Profit disputes between Shaolin Temple and local... | CCTV News
China's Shaolin Temple, famed as the birthplace of Kung fu may now be wishing it had also birthed a few lawyers after a dispute with local authorities seems to be brewing into a long legal battle.
In recent years, Shaolin has seen extraordinary profits (and rising criticism of over-commercialization). For long, the temple has worked under a profit sharing agreement with the local tourism commission of Songshan Mountain, that now appears to be unraveling.
Shaolin accused the commission of withholding ticket dividends of nearly 50 million yuan (about $8.1 million), and related penalty fees of 2.32 million yuan (about $378,114). Temple authorities point to an agreement signed between the two sides in 2009 and added that the funds are critical to maintaining their normal day-to-day operations.
A manager from the commission, however, shot back saying that they've already paid more than their fair share. "The two sides differ in ways of calculation", the manager said to the Chinese newspaper Southern Metropolis Daily.
Another official from the commission was even harsher in his words ominously demanding to know why the temple was asking for so much money and what "the monks" were spending it on.
The issue has then sparked a furious debate on Sina Weibo.
"The ticket fees should be distributed in accordance with the agreement and the law. It has nothing to do with whether they are 'monks' or not." @qiqianlvshi
"Admission should not be charged in temples. It, at most, could be called a scenic spot, not a qualified temple! Asking for money in the name of Buddha is really improper!"@chengzijiaquanqiugou
"If the admission fees for temples are cancelled, there would be no disputes like this." @neimengguwenzhen
Profit disputes between Shaolin Temple and local... | CCTV News
China's Shaolin Temple, famed as the birthplace of Kung fu may now be wishing it had also birthed a few lawyers after a dispute with local authorities seems to be brewing into a long legal battle.
In recent years, Shaolin has seen extraordinary profits (and rising criticism of over-commercialization). For long, the temple has worked under a profit sharing agreement with the local tourism commission of Songshan Mountain, that now appears to be unraveling.
Shaolin accused the commission of withholding ticket dividends of nearly 50 million yuan (about $8.1 million), and related penalty fees of 2.32 million yuan (about $378,114). Temple authorities point to an agreement signed between the two sides in 2009 and added that the funds are critical to maintaining their normal day-to-day operations.
A manager from the commission, however, shot back saying that they've already paid more than their fair share. "The two sides differ in ways of calculation", the manager said to the Chinese newspaper Southern Metropolis Daily.
Another official from the commission was even harsher in his words ominously demanding to know why the temple was asking for so much money and what "the monks" were spending it on.
The issue has then sparked a furious debate on Sina Weibo.
"The ticket fees should be distributed in accordance with the agreement and the law. It has nothing to do with whether they are 'monks' or not." @qiqianlvshi
"Admission should not be charged in temples. It, at most, could be called a scenic spot, not a qualified temple! Asking for money in the name of Buddha is really improper!"@chengzijiaquanqiugou
"If the admission fees for temples are cancelled, there would be no disputes like this." @neimengguwenzhen