Shi Yongxin, Abbot of Shaolin Temple poses in front of a Shaolin martial poster in this undated photo. [Beijing Morning Post]

The words came during a ceremony as Shaolin Temple signed a cooperative agreement with Henan Chinese Medicine College to train Shaolin disciples from abroad.

According to the contract, the two sides will exchange and share medicinal resources, including the numerous secret recipes from the recently revived Shaolin Pharmacy House which was initially founded in 1217 AD and closed later due to wars.

"Cooperation will be carried out in many fields," Shi said. "And we hope to integrate traditional Shaolin medicine with modern medicine to better serve the people."

The abbot told the paper that Shaolin culture consists of the tightly-woven aspects of Zen buddhism, kungfu and medicine. Currently Shaolin medical recipes are covered under the categories of modern Chinese medicine under management of the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

The legendary soul-reviving soup and the grand metal-strength pill, according to Shaolin Temple monk Shiyanjin, are plain medicines that are made from common materials.

He said the soup, which in fiction brings people back to life, is actually a julep to cure heat stroke, and the pill, made for fictional Kungfu masters to heal mortal wounds and give strength, is really only meant to aid injuries from falls.

"Shaolin secret recipes are not as mysterious as people thought," the monk said. "Shaolin monks, especially martial monks, have been using these kindsof recipes to treat illnesses since ancient times."

The Shaolin Pharmacy House publicized many of the disease-curing and health-preserving recipes after it reopened two years ago, which raised concerns that the precious techniques earned by Shaolin medicine masters that had accumulated over time might be changed and abused.

However, many people supported the move, advocating it should be open to society and protected through the efforts of the entire nation.

"We will cooperate with the college in more fields such as medicine, technology research and education, to better protect these treasures and benefit people," Shi said.