[Learn more about the Shaolin Kungfu]

Shaolin monks are renowned for their austerity and tedious transcriptions of religious classics. But now, luxury goods have entered their lives.

The abbot of the Shaolin temple in the central province of Henan, Shi Yongxin, stands beside a spectacular sports sedan worth 1 million Yuan (US$125, 000), which is awarded to him for his contributions to the local tourism industry. [Dahe Daily]

The abbot of the Shaolin temple in the central province of Henan, Shi Yongxin, was rewarded with a spectacular sports sedan worth 1 million Yuan (US$125, 000) for his contributions to the local tourism industry, the Henan-based Dahe Daily reported on August 15.

"I will try my best to promote martial arts to the world in an attempt to boost local tourism. I dream of getting a bigger prize next year, " says the abbot who is in charge of a place widely considered as the birthplace of China's famed Kungfu action.

But the contentious move is likely to stir heated discussion.

Eighty-two respondents do not consider that giving a luxury sedan to a monk is not proper, according to a questionnaire conducted by sina.com, one of China's leading web portals.

"The Shaolin temple has made a large amount of profits these past years as its fame has escalated around the world. It is not proper to reward the abbot with a sedan," an anonymous netizen wrote.

The abbot of the Shaolin temple in the central province of Henan, Shi Yongxin (R), is rewarded with a spectacular sports sedan worth 1 million Yuan (US$125, 000) for his contributions to the local tourism industry. [Dahe Daily]

Some of the criticism targets monks, saying they should look down on their fame. "They have forgotten what they should do and are concentrating on what they shouldn't do," wrote an anonymous netizen.

"It is his duty to boost the martial arts spirit. Even if he contributes a lot to local tourism he should not be given a car," commented a netizen, adding that it is wrong to spend 1 million Yuan on a car in a poverty-stricken province.

Agriculture-oriented Henan is the most populous province in China. By the end of 2003, the population of Henan was 96.67 million. It is estimated to hit 100 million by 2009 according to domestic media reports.

Villagers struggle to make a living due to the poverty, creating AIDS villages that many of the villagers were infected with AIDS through dirty needles used when they sold blood to illegal blood banks.

Another 33 respondents are in favor of the move.

"It is reasonable to award a person who made contributions to local tourism," a post says, adding that those who oppose the move may have never achieved anything.

"There aren't any laws to stipulate that monks can't drive a car," says a post, adding that the temple does a lot for local tourism due to their fame.

Thirty-one others remain neutral.

International recognition of the temple has boosted Shi's fame. 

In July 9, he went to Germany to watch the finals of the World Cup at the invitation of FIFA president Joseph S. Blatter.

To contact the writer of this story:
 Guo Qiang in Beijing at guoqiang@chinadaily.com.cn