Crazy English founder joins Shaolin

Beijing - Li Yang, the celebrity founder of Crazy English and former wife-beater, has converted to Buddhism and become a lay disciple of the Shaolin Temple, say Chinese reports.

Li, 45, who founded a method of learning English by shouting at the top of the voice, was the subject of the 1999 documentary Crazy English.

In 2011, his American wife, former teacher Kim Lee, accused him of domestic violence and he admitted to it.

The divorce of the couple, who have three daughters, was granted last year.

Yesterday, Li caused controversy when he announced on Weibo that he underwent the conversion last Saturday at Shaolin.

He also mentioned plans to hold a Shaolin martial arts-Crazy English winter camp at the temple next year.

Some netizens were sceptical and said he was using Shaolin for self-promotion, reported China News Service.

Others hoped his conversion would save women from being hurt by him.

This article was first published on July 30, 2014.
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