The Shaolin Temple gave birth to one of the greatest martial art forms: kung fu. For over a thousand years Shaolin has trained the top students but now grapples with influences of the modern world. For kung fu novices at the Shaolin Temple, the dream of worldwide acclaim drives them to dedicate their lives to the art.

Airs Thursday, December 18, 2008 at 7pm and 10pm ET/PT on the National Geographic Channel.

Secrets of the Kung Fu Temple