I actually saw this done when I toured the Shaolin Temple in China. One of a number of impressive feats.
I'll let you in on something. The Shaolin Temple is very nice and the young (and old) monks impressive with their kung fu, but it is also very commercial. At least what one can visit is just about to the point of being a tourist trap. I suggest also visiting a few other monasteries to get a better feel for what a monastery is if that sort of thing interests you.
