Controversial educator converts to Buddhism
Print Edition
CELEBRITY Chinese educator Li Yang has converted to Buddhism at a renowned temple, following a domestic violence scandal that put the creator of the “Crazy English” method of language learning at the center of controversy.
Li became a layman disciple of Shi Yongxin, monastery head of the Shaolin Temple in central China’s Henan Province, shortly after the two had meeting on Saturday morning, Shi told Xinhua news agency yesterday.
Li, who now has the Buddhist name “Yanyi,” confirmed the news yesterday morning on his Sina Weibo microblog account.
The 45-year-old said he became a layman Buddhist disciple because he “hopes to spread Chinese culture with the English language.”
Li said that he plans to build the world’s biggest kung fu and language training center in Dengfeng City, where the Shaolin Temple is located. He also plans to hold an international English winter camp at the temple in 2015, he added.
“Crazy English” is a non-traditional method of teaching that uses shouting to memorize and practice the language.
Li found success with the English-teaching business he founded in China in the early 1990s.
But in 2011, his then-wife, Kim Lee, accused him of beating her and posted pictures of her injuries on the Internet.
A week later, after the case had triggered a wave of condemnation, Li apologized but said that “it was just a quarrel between a couple.”
Last year, a Beijing court granted the couple a divorce on the grounds of domestic abuse.
Li’s conversion to Buddhism was met with scepticism from many Chinese web users.
“Maybe Li Yang will use Shaolin kung fu to beat his wife in future,” one netizen wrote.
“This is probably another marketing gimmick to sell more of his ‘Crazy English’ books following disappointing sales,” wrote another.
Shi said that he did not know much about Li’s background, but that “the past is in the past.”
The high-profile monk, who has courted controversy himself for developing money-spinning business operations such as kung fu shows, added that Li’s conversion to Buddhism is “praiseworthy,” and that the Shaolin Temple welcomes anyone who wishes to become layman disciples.
It’s not rare for Chinese celebrities to convert to Buddhism. Singer Faye Wong and actor Andy Lau are among the scores of famous people to have become Buddhist disciples.
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