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Controversial celebrity educator converts to Buddhism

Xinhua, July 30, 2014

• Celebrity Chinese educator Li Yang has converted to Buddhism at a renowned Buddhist temple following a domestic violence scandal that put the creator of the "Crazy English" method of language learning at the center of controversy.

  Li Yang (second from right), founder of the "Crazy English" schools, converts to Buddhism in Dengfeng Shaolin Temple in central China's Henan Province on July 26, 2014. [Photo: weibo.com]

   

  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 an arranged meeting on Saturday morning, Shi told Xinhua on Tuesday.

  Li, now under the Buddhist name "Yanyi," confirmed the news on Tuesday morning on Sina Weibo, the Chinese equivalent of Twitter. The 45-year-old said he became a layman Buddhist because he "hopes to spread Chinese culture with the English language."

  In a long post on Sina Weibo, 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 has been successful since starting his English-teaching business in China in the early 1990s.

  However, in August 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 couples."

  In February 2013, a Beijing court granted a divorce to the couple on the grounds of domestic abuse.

  Li's conversion to Buddhism has drawn scathing comments from Chinese netizens.

  "Maybe Li Yang will use Shaolin kung fu to beat his wife in the future," a netizen speculated.

  "This is probably another marketing gimmick to sell more of his 'Crazy English' books that are seeing disappointing sales," wrote another.

  Shi Yongxin 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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