Remember 'Future Richest Man In The World'? Well, He Is Now A 'Monk'
Zhang Jian, founder of the controversial YSLM multi-level marketing business who recently made headlines in the Malaysian media when dubious billboards of him proclaiming "future richest man in the world" appeared in Penang, has now become a monk.
By Sadho Ram — 01 Sep 2014, 11:15 AM — Updated over 10 years ago
On 29 August, Zhang Jian, founder of the controversial YSLM multi-level marketing business, became a monk
Zhang Jian, the “world’s future richest man” and founder of controversy-shrouded multi-level marketing company, YSLM International, has become a Buddhist monk following a head shaving ceremony in Thailand, yesterday (29 August 2014).
therakyatpost.com
During the ceremony, Zhang took up the Buddhist name "Fo Yun" meaning Buddhist Cloud
The self-proclaimed Chinese millionaire is undergoing a 100-day temporary ordination programme at a temple in Thailand. However, the head shaving ceremony was only held on Friday, a month after the programme begun.
thestar.com.myAccording to YSLM's charity wing chairman Datuk John Lee Kim Tian, Zhang, who had been in Thailand for a month to practice Buddhist rules, in preparation to become a monk, had in 2012 set an agenda to become a monk in the future
The company’s charity wing chairman Datuk John Lee Kim Tian told China Press that becoming a monk was Zhang’s way of fulfilling the vow he had made. “Like all monks, Zhang has to beg for alms from the public daily. He will read Buddhist scriptures and clean the temple during free time,” said Lee, who returned from Thailand yesterday after witnessing the ceremony together with some 100 company members.
thestar.com.myJohn claimed that Zhang donated RM394,330 to the temple after his company's global revenue hit the RM50bil mark
John said that 90 YSLM members had flown to Thailand recently, to celebrate Zhang’s birthday on Aug 27, and also witnessed his head-shaving ceremony. In addition, the members also donated 50,000 Thai Baht (RM4,930) during the ceremony with YSLM’s charity foundation also donating 4 million Thai Baht (RM394,555) to the Thai Buddhist temple to assist in building a “stupa”.
therakyatpost.com
A stupa is a mound-like or hemispherical structure containing Buddhist relics, typically the ashes of Buddhist monks, used by Buddhists as a place of meditation.
John added Zhang was expected to return to Malaysia after 70 days from now, with about 10,000 YSLM members expected to welcome him back.
therakyatpost.com
Zhang recently made headlines in the Malaysian media when dubious billboards of him appeared in Penang, proclaiming himself as the "future richest man in the world"
Zhang Jian being ordained as a monk at a temple in Thailand and takes the Buddhist name 'Buddhist Cloud'.
Image via 首富张健 万爱从心视频制作组 Yslm Zhang Jian MankindHe also awarded his lucky “distributors” with luxury cars. The Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry is also investigating YSLM – also known as Yun Shu Mao – of being linked to a get-rich-quick scam. Soon after, Zhang left for Thailand.
thestar.com.myThe company later offered a refund to those who had not introduced any new member to the company. Hundreds of people accepted the offer within a week.
therakyatpost.com
Zhang was also found to be conducting business under CDTUP International Sdn Bhd, which had acquired a direct sales licence from the ministry.