Marathon Monks 0
By far, one of the most interesting but absurdly difficult things I have ever heard about is “marathon monks”: these are spiritual athletes (in Japanese, “gyoja”) who marathon for meaning and find purity in the act of moving.
The marathon takes place on an 18-mile trail around Mount Hiei in Japan (where else?). The marathon itself consists of 1000 days of running that must be completed in a seven year period. However, to qualify for the great honor of participating in this run, the candidate must do a qualifying run of 100 days. So, in total, it is a run of 1100 days that, in the end, the gyoja will have traveled between 24,000 to 27,000 miles on foot—a distance of once around the earth at the equator.
During this run, their feet and legs throb and often get cuts, infections; the runners experience diarrhea and hemorrhoids; and during cold weather, they get frostbite and very sick during the first weeks of the run.
The goal, of course, is to become absorbed into the mountainside and surroundings—to truly become one with the journey/universe.
Following the initial 100-day run, the rest of the marathon occurs in this manner:
-first three years consist of 100 days running per year, for 40 kilometers per day (total = 300 days)
-in the fourth and fifth year, the pace quickens and they run for 200 consecutives day (total = 300 + 400 = 700 days)
-then they face nine days without food, water, sleep or rest. During this time they recite chants that are repeated 100,000 times.
-the final year consists of two 100-day terms, with daily 84-kilometer runs. This is done within 16-18 hours and which they repeat the next day, and the day after that, and after that…
Since 1885, 46 marathon monks have completed the 1000-day journey [as of 1996; the number is slightly higher now]– an ordeal that is an option for the gyoja who passes the 100-day test. Two monks completed two full terms; another died by suicide on his 2500th day, trying to complete three terms. The majority of monks who complete these odysseys have been in their 30s. The oldest completed his 2000th day when he was 61 years old. The number of monks who actually died or committed suicide along the path is not known, but the route on Mount Hiei is lined with many unmarked gyojagraves.
The final thing is again chanting 100,000 mantras in a special fire ceremony.
The first non-Japanese to complete this run is John Stevens. In his book,
The Marathon Monks of Mount Hiei, he writes: “The most admirable thing about the Hiei gyoja is their warmth, open-heartedness and humanity … Facing death over and over, the marathon monks become alive to each moment, full of gratitude, joy and grace. … [they] have much to teach us …: always aim for the ultimate, never look back, be mindful of others at all times, and keep the mind forever set on the Way.”
I have read discrepant reports on the days and distances. Here is a summary of possible number symbolism:
1. 100 days x 18 miles
2. 100 days x 18 miles
3. 100 days x 18 miles
4. 200 days x 18 miles
5. 200 days x 18 miles
6. 200 x 52.5 miles
7. 100 x 18 miles
total = 24,900 miles or 26,700 miles with trial run
* * *
1. 100 days x 18 miles
2. 100 days x 18 miles
3. 100 days x 18 miles
4. 200 days x 18 miles
5. 200 days x 18 miles
6. 100 days x 37.5 miles
7. 100 days x 52.5 miles
8. 100 days x 18 miles
total = 23,400 miles or 25,200 with trial
* * *
1. 100 days x 18 miles (pray 250 times each night)
2. 100 days x 18 miles (pray 250 times each night)
3. 100 days x 18 miles (pray 250 times each night)
4. 200 days x 18 miles (pray 250 times each night)
5. 200 days x 18 miles (pray 250 times each night)
6. 100 days x 37.5 miles (pray 250 times each night)
7. 100 days x 52.5 miles (pray 250 times each night)
8. 100 days x 18 miles (pray 250 times each night)
total = 23,400 miles or 25,200 with trial
I believe the most recent person to complete this run was in September, 2005.
Finally, one of the most interesting observations I’ve read on this is:
How can the human body endure such trials? For 20 years, I worked as a trainer in Desert and Mountain Survival tactics for U.S. Military Special Warfare Groups (U.S. Navy SEALs, Army Delta Force and Special Forces), evaluating their physical and psychological adaptations to desert and mountain heat, cold, fatigue, hunger and sleep deprivation. The testing involved simulated worse-case scenarios where teams were separated from their gear and had to adapt to the rigors of the landscape and weather with what they had in their pockets — with aggressor forces searching for them. That experience taught me that it was simply mental determination — athletic ability, size or physical strength attributes counted for little — that separated the “survivors” from the “non-survivors.” As Scott Jurek has said (see Trail Runner No. 17): “When it comes down to it on race day, it’s a matter of who wants it more and who’s ready to work for it.” Mental stamina is what determines top finishers.