Monk inspectors help nab fake monks in China

Over 600 fake monks were exposed by a 10-member monks inspection team formed to curb impostors and fraud at a famous Buddhist sanctuary in north China.
Mount Wutai, the holy mountain in north Shanxi Province draws millions of believers and tourists every year. It is also known for fake monks who hustle for money by fortune telling, begging for alms and performing street shows.
"We've tried ways to crack down on the scams, and the monk inspector team has proved to be the best way," the office director with the religion affairs bureau of Mount Wutai said.
According to Lyu, the team was established in March and the members, wearing special badges around their necks while on duty, performed regular patrols or surprise checks over the following months.

Master Yiliang, head of the team, said they recognise the local monks, and they ask unfamiliar monks their identities and details about their visits.
"If they cannot show us the Buddhist certificate, we will take away their robes, ask them to leave and report to the police," he told state-run Xinhua, adding that Mongolian and Tibetan monk inspectors have helped communicate with visiting monks from minority regions.
To date, the team has discovered over 600 fake monks and confiscated over 500 monk robes since it was established.
The team also discovered more than 100 cases of monks who have violated religious codes of conduct, Yiliang said.