China's Shaolin Temple is considering holding an international martial arts contest to raise the profile of Shaolin culture, its abbot said Wednesday.

Shi Yongxin said the contest may include individual and group performances, in karate, taekwondo and kungfu. The Buddhist temple is also planning forums on martial arts.

"Shaolin Temple expects to form ties with the world through various events, expand impact of Buddhism and make Shaolin culture better known," he said.

Located in Dengfeng in central China's Henan province, the 1,500-year-old temple is regarded as the cradle of Chinese kungfu.

Over the past two years, the temple has held cultural festivals in Europe and the United States.