The Shaolin Temple, in central China's Henan Province, is internationally famous for the dazzling martial arts of its Buddhist monks in "The Legend of Shaolin" and other movies and publications.

But the monks have a hidden side -- as skilled users of computers and the Internet.

A group of China's leading IT entrepreneurs gathered in the Shaolin Temple Friday, but they did not come to watch a martial arts display.

The gathering had nothing to do with religion. The IT leaders and media experts were meeting to discuss how to help China's fledgling IT industry build a good image at home and abroad.

But when Master Yongxin, head of the Shaolin Temple, delivered a key-note speech, the whole audience turned calm and noiseless.

Apart from preaching for Buddha, the Buddhist master made a presentation, with the help of a projector, about the website of his temple. The IT leaders were surprised to learn that Shaolin's website came into operation in 1997, before China's major portals had started business.

The IT leaders were also told that many Shaolin monks use the Internet to gather information and communicate with the outside world.

"I am surprised at the combination of Chinese traditional culture and modern technology here and I am deeply impressed with an IT Shaolin," said Li Jiaming, president of China.Com.

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