Some 250 martial arts enthusiasts from the US arrived at the renowned Shaolin Temple in central China and practiced the kowtowing ritual for the temple's abbot on Wednesday.

The ritual is the solemnest Chinese courtesy that sees disciples offer their respect to their masters.

Shi Yongxin, the abbot of the temple, described the foreign disciples' tour as a journey to revert to their origin.

After the disciples demonstrated multiple Chinese martial arts skills, including the three-section whip, Buddha's fist, tiger hooks and Chinese boxing, Shi awarded them certificates, proving their "graduation" from Shaolin.

 "Amateur martial artists will improve their skills and see original kung fu here," Shi said.

The tour was initiated by the United Studio of Self Defense (USSD), a martial arts training center with hundreds of thousands of registered members in the US.

Charles Mattera, the studio's co-founder and one of Shi's disciples, said, "If it was not for Shaolin Temple, there would not be the USSD and there would be no martial arts."

The Shaolin Temple, one of the most famous Mahayana Buddhist monasteries in China, was built in the fifth century and has became a symbol of Chinese kung fu.

"I hope more people can feel the essence of Eastern culture through the concept of tolerance and the healthy way of life spread by our disciples," said Shi.

Xinhua - Dahe Daily