The Marathon Monks of Mount Hiei
Buddhist monks who run marathons daily, carry a knife for failure, and fast for nine days without water or sleep. A story that will destroy your ability to complain.
We Set the Bar Low
Who do you know that is really hardcore? Who is going all-in? Really?
Are we setting the bar too low for ourselves? Is it true that the expectations of ourselves and others are really low these days... REALLY LOW?
Cut to the Marathon Monks of Mount Hiei.
The Marathon Monks
Instead of being dressed in traditional black Buddhist clothes, they wear white - the color of death. They carry a knife in their belt. This is to take their life if they fail in any element of their practice. Knife for self-disembowelment. Belt for hanging.
These Buddhist monks and super athletes are reaching for enlightenment in the here and now through physical movement.
The 1000-Day Marathon
The 1000-Day Marathon is a big part of the practice of the marathon monks. It takes 7 years to complete. The first 5 years they run a marathon each day for 100 days straight. This is repeated 7 times. For the last 2 years the distance is increased to two marathon distances each day (84km/52 miles!).
They also throw in a 9-day fast into their practice, with continuous meditation, without water and sleep, to keep things interesting. It's designed to bring the gyoja face-to-face with death.
"Following successful completion of the seven hundred days of moving and the nine days of stillness, the gyoja are indeed men transformed. Grateful to be alive, full of energy, fortified by a vision of the Ultimate, constantly moving towards the light, and eager to work for the benefits of all."
📺 Video Review
The 12-Year Retreat
As if that wasn't enough there is also the 12-Year Retreat. Constant cleaning of the dead temple fathers' resting grounds. Living on leftovers and only allowed to rest for 3 hours a night. For 12 years.
💡 Key Takeaway
When we get familiar with feats like these, either through books or elsewhere, our ability to complain about trifles is diminished. Our standards and expectations of ourselves and others are so low nowadays that learning about stuff like this can, at least temporarily, raise the expectation bar a bit.
⚖️ Verdict
It's a great book! This book is not for everyone - it's quite poorly written at times and weirdly edited, but the content is truly fascinating. If you are a fan of running, endurance, or just fascinated by incredible human achievements - then look no further!