The current abbot of Shaolin Temple is Shi Yongxin. Originally named Liu Yingcheng, he was born into a family in Yingshang, Anhui Province in 1965. The former abbot Master Xingzheng passed away in 1987. Taking the ceremonial alms-bowl and robes on his shoulder (a symbol for the Dharma transmission), Master Yongxin took over the Shaolin Temple Management Committee and started to run the temple. In August 1999, he was inaugurated as Shaolin Abbot at the inaugural ceremony. Shi Yongxin conducts commercialized operation and promotion on Shaolin Temple, causing controversies in society.