The marathon monks of mount hei trail runner magazine. As part of their spiritual training, the monks run 84 km every day for over three months. Somewhere in the mountains of kyoto live the marathon monks. Author john stevens, in his book, the marathon monks of mount hiei, describes the long distance walking style which dates back over a thousand years. Mount hiei a fascinating japan experience not to be. Legends on 9 foot tall tibetan lunggompa runners jumping. This little localized tradition is something a few of the the tendai monks do. More amazing is the manner and the conditions in which the monks run. Monks enlightenment begins with a marathon walk in japan last year, endo mitsunaga, a 34yearold monk, became the th monk since world war ii to complete the sennichi kaihogyo, 1,000 days of.
Endurance beyond belief the marathon monks of mount hiei. They worship a deity known as fudo myoo the wrathful king of mystic knowledge in shingon buddhism. Dec 28, 2018 marathon monks and marathon running authors y ou only need to see images of japans famous marathon monks who have been trying since at least 1885 to reach enlightenment by completing a thousand marathons in a thousand days to understand the narrative appeal of longdistance running in japan. It is rare that a monk embarks on the 1,000day challenge, or kaihogyo, and even. Three years ago i read a book titled the marathon monks of mount hiei by john stevens. I was sitting on a small cushion, uncomfortably jetlagged. I had come to discuss their participation in my current film, a characterdriven exploration of the spiritual roots of running in postproduction now. The kaihogyo according to the tendai monks, you can only achieve enlightenment in your current life through extreme selfdenial and they achieve this by taking up the kaihogyo quest.
Those who succeed become revered, as human buddhas or living saints. The book focuses on the tendai buddhist monks who complete kaihogyo, 1,000 days of long distance walking, meditation, and prayer over a 7year period. These super human marathon monks uphold centuries old traditions they preserve, observe and practise them today and in many ways as exactly as was practised many centuries ago. One fascinating aspect of mount hieis history is the socalled marathon monks who take part in an ascetic practice called kaihogyo. Tendai marathon monks the run of a lifetime by james davis the london observer some of the worlds best athletes give a very good run for their money in the london marathon, others pick up their appearance fee and potter round without threatening to win. Though it is very rare for a monk to embark such kind of challenge, those who succeed are regarded with respect as living buddhas. It is a 1,000 day challenge spread across seven years, including a 100day introductory one which, itself, requires stamina akin to that of karnazes. Tendai buddhist monks who have failed to complete a quest known as the kaihogyo. I have come to japan, hoping to meet one of them and to find out what. The marathon monks have incredible mental toughness. In the book, the marathon monks of mount hiei, stevens notes that marathon monks run with a cord of.
Jun 21, 2017 three years ago i read a book titled the marathon monks of mount hiei by john stevens. The kaihogyo is a 1,000 day challenge that takes place over seven years. If their petition is accepted, they have one week to prepare. Monks start at 2am and walk for five to six hours, visiting over 250 stops including buddhas, ponds, bodhisattvas. Marathon monks of mount hiei is a documentary directed by christopher j. The name comes from the fact that tendaimonks run or walk marathons on paths around mountains. These graves are the resting place of those buddhist monks, who couldnt complete a spiritual challenge called the kaihogyo. One monk completes the sennichi kaihogyo, 1,000 days of walking meditation.
The most admirable thing about the hiei gyoja is their warmth, openheartedness and humanity facing death over and over, the marathon monks become alive to each moment, full of gratitude, joy and grace. These monks seek enlightenment by running 1,000 marathons in 1,000 days. The reader will learn about the monks deathdefying fasts, their vegetarian training diet, their handmade straw running shoes, and feats of endurance such as their ceremonial leap into a waterfall. Kaihogyo is by far more demanding than any modernday athletic endurance event, so demanding that the monks are required to carry a knife and. The marathon monks live in a small mountain monastery below the fabled world of enryakuji temple, the tendai sect of esoteric buddhism. All of it within only a stones throw away from the chaos of the city below. Omine, where he lived in caves and huts and survived off the land. Rejecting the staid catalogue format of successive descrip. My translator repeated these words to me with evident shock. This is an extract from the book way of the runner by adharanand finn somewhere in the mountains around kyoto live the marathon monks. Aug 22, 2014 the kaihogyo according to the tendai monks, you can only achieve enlightenment in your current life through extreme selfdenial and they achieve this by taking up the kaihogyo quest. Oct 20, 2016 i had just flown from new york city to japan, traveling by car to japans holiest peak mount hiei in order to meet with the sennichi kaihogyo the marathon monks. Due to this, the monks are often referred to as the marathon monks.
Monks enlightenment begins with a marathon walk in japan last year, endo mitsunaga, a 34yearold monk, became the th monk since world war ii to complete the sennichi kaihogyo. And these monks believe that extreme selfdenial and physical exertion leads to enlightenment so for hundreds of years, they have been running a marathon challenge called the kaihogyo which literally means in japanese. This book, an exhibition catalogue, is intended to be more than a mere guide to a show. A journey into the fabled world of japanese running main by finn, adharanand isbn. The japanese monk who hiked a mountain for 1,000 days. Theres a oneday version that ordinands do as part of their 60 day training, which makes one minimally qualified to be a tendai priest of which more later if anyones curious. Kaihogyo takes place over days, spread over a sevenyear period. Illustrated with superb photographs, the book also contains the first fulllength study in english of mount hiei and tendai buddhism.
Legend has it that the monks of mount hiei run 1,000 marathons in 1,000 days in their quest to reach enlightenment. The sennichi kaihogyo is the summit of achievement for monks of the tendai buddhist order, the fabled marathon monks, or running buddhas of mt hiei. The marathon monks the tendai monks believe that enlightenment can be achieved during your current life, but only through extreme selfdenial. This account of the walking or marathon monks of mount hiei in japan, who have been performing an extraordinary mountain pilgrimage for over years, describes their rituals of chanting, meditation and exercise, culminating in walks of over miles and nine days without food or sleep. Since 1885, only 46 marathon monks have completed the 1,000day journeyan ordeal that is an option for the gyoja who passes the 100day test. I have come to japan, hoping to meet one of them and to find out what they can. Japans centuriesold comedic solo storytelling what is japanese flower arrangement and. Hiei is an extreme physical challenge that involves an inordinate amount of running and other related endurance activities, which if a monk fails to. Author john stevens, in his book, the marathon monks of mount hiei, describes the long distance walking style which dates back over. Yusai sakai, who has died aged 87, was a japanese monk and one of only a handful of men to complete the sennichi kaihogyo, a sevenyear quest for enlightenment that ranks among the toughest known. Despite flaws in the filmprimarily its stress on the practice as a form of marathonthis documentary has been very.
I had just flown from new york city to japan, traveling by car to japans holiest peak mount hiei in order to meet with the sennichi kaihogyo the marathon monks. Hiei is the first book in english on the kaihogyo, an arduous ascetic practice carried out on mount hiei, the site of. Perhaps japans best known person that runs is the author haruki murakami, who the new yorker dubbed. Review john stevens, the marathon monks of mount hiei. Kaihogyo is by far more demanding than any modernday athletic endurance event, so demanding. Marathon monks of mount hiei documentary insight state. Eyes focused about 100 feet ahead while moving in a steady rhythm, keeping the head level, the shoulders relaxed, the back straight, and the nose aligned with the navel. The kaihogyo a sevenyear, 1,000day marathon is among the worlds most difficult physical challenges. I had come to discuss their participation in my current film, a characterdriven exploration of the. What makes this destination fascinating is the quietness and peacefulness that exists here that transports you to a totally different world of complete zen. The marathon monks of mount hiei by john stevens goodreads.
In his book, the marathon monks of mount hiei, john stevens sums up the greatest contributions of these spiritual adventurers. It is rare that a monk embarks on the 1,000day challenge, or kaihogyo, and. Tendai marathon monks,barefoot more than marathons 42400 km in days during 7years the worlds greatest athletes may well live on top of a sacred mountain in japan. These monks are from the tendai school of buddhism, a denomination brought to japan by the monk saicho in 806 from china. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Kakudo is one of the marathon monks of mount hiei, and this will be only the. A roundtrip journey demands about 16 hours of continuous movementeven for fit hikers. Endurance beyond belief the marathon monks of mount. Sep 21, 2019 marathon monks of mount hiei is a documentary directed by christopher j. These japanese monks are from the tendai school of buddhism, a denomination brought to japan by the monk saicho in 806 from china their quest is to serve buddha through many duties but they are best known for their physical endurance in running, a.
This challenge, kaihogyo, which has killed several monks on mt. The kaihogyo is a set of the ascetic spiritual trainings for which the buddhist marathon monks of mt. So today im cruising facebook and an interesting article pops up about the marathon monks of kyoto, japan. Mount hiei is popularly known as a sacred mountain because it is home to the marathon monks often regarded as super humans. The kaihogyo circling the mountain is an ascetic practice performed by tendai. He also carries a small bag that holds his secret holy book, which will guide him. There is a buddhist temple in japan where monks walk 24,000 miles as a part of a religious practice to clarify the mind and spirit. The kaihogyo allows fujinami to commune with mother nature and discover his. The marathon monks of mount hiei trail runner magazine. Since id heard of them and their kaihogyo tradition, i checked it out. There are, of course, the longer intensive kaihogyo practices described in the marathon monks book.
In the northeastern hills outside kyoto, japan there is a mountain known as mount hiei. The practice is called the kaihogyo practice of circling the mountains. Japans centuriesold comedic solo storytelling what is japanese flower arrangement and how can it help us. Over the years, the monks commit to walking the word marathon is slightly misleading the monks hike, but dont run either. Originally, however, the practice was not quite so difficult. The tokyo hotel where guests can curl up with 1,700 good books. In all, fujinami must spend days on the road in all seasons, in all conditions. Kaihogyo the formal name of the practice is called kaihogyo which literally means to circle around a mountain.
There are many disciplines that are practiced in hiei but the mountain marathon, called kaihogyo, is the greatest. The marathon monks of japan awesci science everyday. Feb 12, 2016 somewhere in the mountains of kyoto live the marathon monks. What i learned when i met the monk who ran 1,000 marathons life. Sep 19, 2011 these monks known colloquially as the marathon monks endure something called kaihogyo, an test of endurance which boggles the mind. The kaihogyo circling the mountain is a set of the ascetic spiritual training for which the buddhist marathon monks of mt. The participants are more commonly referred to as the marathon monks. Insane marathon monks share an ancient discipline secret. Author john stevens, in his book, the marathon monks of mount hiei describes the running style which dates back over a thousand years. Hiei, but these japanese monks seem to cover only 110th of the distance that these tibetan runners cover.
White robes are worn, with this colour traditionally associated with death in japanese culture. It started with a mountain priest named ennogyoja, who, in the late 600s, meditated for a thousand days on top of mt. It is based on john stevenss book, the marathon monks of mount hiei. It lasts days, commonly distributed in 100day chunks over a period of seven years, and in addition to traditional monastic chores, it includes no end of kaihogyo, literally. Youve written a book about enlightenment in the guardian. This account of the walking or marathon monks of mount hiei in japan, who. Because of this challenge, the tendai are often called the marathon monks. Kakudo is one of the marathon monks of mount hiei, and this will be only the first of 100 successive nights that he will get up at midnight, attend the service and start his marathon runwalk kaihogyo around mount hiei, completing the route between 7.
Oct 17, 20 yusai sakai, who has died aged 87, was a japanese monk and one of only a handful of men to complete the sennichi kaihogyo, a sevenyear quest for enlightenment that ranks among the toughest known. Jul 16, 2018 fewer than 50 monks have completed the thousand day circumambulation in the last century and a half. Escape outdoors to uncover japans most breathtaking experiences. For the tendai, the ultimate act of selfdenial and the route to enlightenment is a physical challenge known as the kaihogyo. Hiei is a documentation of a sect of tendai buddhist monks in the mountains outside kyoto, japan. The book also examines the history and teaching of these tendai zen monks and.
Author john stevens, in his book, the marathon monks of mount hiei writes about the running style. The participants are more commonly referred to as the marathon monks of mount hiei. Hiei kaihogyo take their name from the japanese word sokusho or endingstopping obstacles. The kaihogyo allows fujinami to commune with mother nature and discover his own inner nature. These monks known colloquially as the marathon monks endure something called kaihogyo, an test of endurance which boggles the mind. Somewhere in the mountains around kyoto live the marathon monks. Hiei is the first book in english on the kaihogyo, an arduous ascetic practice carried out on mount hiei, the site of the tendai sects headquarter temple of enryakuji. If you commit to nothing, youll be distracted by everything. Tendai marathon monks,barefoot more than marathons. Few monks continue onto the kaihogyo, or practice of circling the mountains. Kakudo suzuki, an aspiring japanese buddhist spiritual athlete or gyoja. Kaihogyo, as the rituals are known today, evolved from 10 to present. The marathon monk of mount hiei dharma rain zen center. As an avid runner living in japan, the legendary marathon monks of hiei.
Paintings and calligraphy by japanese monks, 16001925. May 11, 2010 monks enlightenment begins with a marathon walk in japan last year, endo mitsunaga, a 34yearold monk, became the th monk since world war ii to complete the sennichi kaihogyo, 1,000 days of. He will then attend an hourlong service, followed by bathing and the midday. Monks must petition senior leaders to continue onto the day kaihogyo. Only 46 monks have completed the sevenyear marathon since 1885. The days challenge by marathon monks, gives athletes. These japanese monks are from the tendai school of buddhism, a denomination brought to japan by the monk saicho in 806 from china.
In 2018, he made it into the guinness book of records for running 76 marathons with finish times of under 2 hours 20 minutes, becoming the worlds most consistent highspeed marathon man. Hiei is the first book in english on the kaihogyo, an arduous ascetic practice carried out on mount hiei, the site of the. The route is so steep and rocky it has wooden stairs and ladders, ropes, and even chains to assist with the ascent. Mount hiei, regarded as the holy mountain in kyoto makes a nice little escape from the maddening crowds of other kyotos main attraction. Hiei cnnstopher hayes, director, 1993 was later released in a north american version 2002. Running in osaka and in search of marathon monk from hieizan. The marathon monks of mount hiei by john stevens, paperback. Monks who are accepted as marathon monks, go through demanding training which on top of the daily chores of a temple monk, includes running or walking marathons at night. Jan 24, 2018 author john stevens, in his book, the marathon monks of mount hiei writes about the running style. For deeper understanding, find this article from wikipedia or john stevens book on marathon monks. Walkabout and this is the japanese walkabout, the marathon monks.
What i learned when i met the monk who ran 1,000 marathons. The marathon monks of mount hiei paperback 28 feb 20. The most commonly referenced similar practice has been the japanese monk marathon runners called kaihogyo of mt. The story of the marathon monk practice, or sadhana daily spiritual practice, began when a. Kaihogyo is the practice of circling the mountains and gives them an appreciation of the respective stations of worship. There is a buddhist temple in japan where monks walk 24,000 miles as a part of a religious practice to. Unique within their journey of personal enlightenment is the incorporation 100days or 1,000days of consecutive marathon distance 4080km pilgrimages through their mountain homes. To become an abbot at hiei, you must go through a 100day term of kaihogyo. The formal name of the practice is called kaihogyo which literally means to circle around a mountain. The days challenge by marathon monks, gives athletes a.