After 300 years, Shaolin Temple resumes a ritual

For the first time in 300 years, the renowned Shaolin Temple held a ritual on Thursday to initiate 600 believers into monkhood.

On that same day, millions of monks and believers nationwide observed the Buddha bath festival which usually includes the washing of all statues of the Buddha.

The ceremony used to be considered an official ritual to recognize a believer into true monkhood.