Action star Steven Seagal has discovered where is natural ability for martial arts comes from - he was a 17th century Buddhist monk in a previous life.

The Under Siege actor began his adult life teaching aikido in Japan before finding fame in Hollywood in a string of action movies including Out For Justice and Under Siege.

And he was amazed to discover the exact identity of his former self, thanks to his Buddhist teachers.

He says, "I subconsciously started leaning towards the Orient and martial arts.

"My old Buddhist teachers have identified the person I was in a past life. I was a 17th-century monk called Chungdrag Dorje.

"I believe this is true but I don't dwell on it."

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)