Los-Angeles-Shooter Loc: Los Angeles

In the northeastern hills outside Kyoto, Japan, there is a mountain known as Mount Hiei. That mountain is littered with unmarked graves.

Those graves mark the final resting place of the Tendai Buddhist monks who have failed to complete a quest known as The Kaihogyo.

What is this quest that k**ls so many of the monks? And what can you and I learn from it? I'll tell you.

The Marathon Monks

The Tendai monks believe that enlightenment can be achieved during your current life but only through extreme self-denial.

For the Tendai, the ultimate act of self-denial—and the route to enlightenment—is a physical challenge known as The Kaihogyo. Because of this challenge, the Tendai are often called the "Marathon Monks." But The Kaihogyo is much more than a marathon. It is a 1,000-day challenge that takes place over seven years. If a monk chooses to undertake this challenge, this is what he must do:

Year 1: Run 30 km per day (about 18 miles) for 100 straight days.
Year 2: Again run 30 km per day for 100 straight days.
Year 3: Once more run 30 km per day for 100 straight days.
Year 4: Run 30 km per day. This time for 200 straight days.
Year 5: Again run 30 km per day for 200 straight days. After completing the fifth year of running, the monk must go nine consecutive days without food, water, or rest. Two monks stand beside him at all times to ensure that he does not fall asleep.
Year 6: Run 60 km (about 37 miles) per day for 100 straight days.
Year 7: Run 84 km (about 52 miles) per day for 100 straight days. (52 miles per day!) And then, he must run 30 km per day for the final 100 days.

The sheer volume of running is incredible, of course, but there is one final challenge that makes The Kaihogyo unlike any other feat.

Day 101
During the first 100 days of running, the monk is allowed to withdraw from The Kaihogyo. However, from day 101 onward, there is no withdrawal. The monk must either complete The Kaihogyo or take his own life. Because of this, the monks carry a length of rope and a short sword at all times on their journey. In the last 400+ years, only 46 men have completed the challenge. Many others can be found by their unmarked graves on the hills of Mount Hiei.

soba1 Loc: Somewhere In So Ca

Damn that's a hell of a challenge.

Twardlow Loc: Arkansas

Am I supposed to find a meaning in this?

Leica User Loc: Western North Carolina

After reviewing some of your post, I would not think you are capable of finding any meaning in his post. There are many that will though.

Los-Angeles-Shooter Loc: Los Angeles

No one expects anything from you, or expects you to find the meaning or moral or message or inspiration in something like this.

Why don't you treat it as a Zek koan?

Los-Angeles-Shooter Loc: Los Angeles

There's another place in Japan where people seek enlightenment by hiking up a steep mountain every day, day after day.

Doddy Loc: Barnard Castle-England

Any lingering thoughts I might have had of becoming a Tendai monk and seeking enlightenment have been extinguished!!

SBW

:thumbup: :thumbup:

He is like most libs. His mind is padlocked shut.

Checkmate Loc: Southern California

Start running and take your prez with you.

skylane5sp Loc: Puyallup, WA

If you were capable of coherent thought you just might.

Los-Angeles-Shooter Loc: Los Angeles

Typo: I suggested Twardlow treat the story as a "Zen koan." However, I accidently typed "Zek." I meant Zen. But you can regard my typo as a koan in itself... if you wish.