Let’s go to Japan to find out about this unconventional way of enlightenment developed and practiced by a sect of Tendai Buddhist monks living in Mount Hiei. This mountain in located near Kyoto.
It is called the 1000 days challenge and is completed over a period of 7 years and is called kaihogyo in Japanese. As per record since 1885 only 46 monks have been successful in completing this challenge. The rule is such that either one has to complete the program or if he is unable to complete it then he has to commit suicide or die trying it. The route has many unmarked graves indicating monks have died or committed suicide on this tract. It is rare that someone decides undertake this challenge and even rarer to complete it.
There is more to it. In the fifth year the monk has to spend nine days without food water sleep or rest. There are certain rules to be followed like the monk has to be in robe and hat, no deviation from the path, no stopping for rest or refreshment, prayers have to be performed on all the temples on the route and no smoking and drinking.
The 1000 days are distributed over 7 years like this:-
Year 1 – 30 km per day for 100 consecutive days.
Year 2- 30 km per day for 100 consecutive days.
Year 3- 30 km per day for 100 consecutive days.
Year 4 - 30 km per day for 200 consecutive days.
Year 5- 30 km per day for 200 consecutive days. After these 200 days he has to undergo nine days without food water sleep or rest.
Year 6- 60 km per day for 100 consecutive days.
Year 7 - 84 km per day for 100 consecutive days and another 30 km per day for 100 consecutive days. That’s 200 days.
During the first 100 days a monk can decide to withdraw but from the 101st day one is not allowed to withdraw. So the options are complete it or die attempting to complete it or else commit suicide. The monk carry a rope and a small sword with them, the purpose of which is quite clear.
Those who complete it are given the title of Daigyoman Ajari, or Saintly Master of the Highest Practice. They were highly revered and were to only people allowed to go before the Emperor wearing their shoes.
But why do they do it. They say that through extreme physical exhaustion and nearing death they understand the futility of the outer core and realize the inner self and wisdom. Enlightenment is achieved through extreme self denial. Either something is important to you to complete it or else kill it. They say if you commit to nothing then you get distracted by everything.
Such extreme endurance is absolutely amazing and I am sure will be extremely difficult for even world level endurance athletes. But in a quiet corner of the world history has been made.
Buddhist monk Genshin Fujinami, one of the few monks to have completed the grueling endurance ordeal.
Really nice article! Like this last guy's hat!