The marathon monk of Mount Hiei

The Atlas of Curiosities: Part 13

We were in the high forest above Kyoto, and we had gone to sleep for the night.  At about three in the morning, we were awakened by a quiet rustling just uphill from where our camp had been made.  A dark figure carrying a pale light glided past, his shadow danced on the surrounding trees. 

He wore a long hat in the shape of a boat which glided smoothly through the mist, unshaken by the monks footsteps. His walking stick played a lonely rhythm on the path and I attempted to stand and intercept the figure in order to ask why he was awake at this hour.  Our host put his hand firmly on my shoulder and motioned me for to remain in our camp.  The man carried a long knife, our host told me, and if he was stopped, he would disembowel himself on the spot. To aid him in his journey, the younger monks spent each day clearing his 20 mile path of rocks, twigs, and brush, to ensure that the passage was clear. 

As the sun came up, mist hung low in the trees and we made our way to the monastery, hoping to meet the returning monk.  Wiping the sweat from our brows and finding our breath short at this altitude, we were told that the run, which passes all two hundred and seventy holy shrines on Mount Hiei must be completed every day for 1,000 consecutive days.  The total distance the monk would cover over that time was greater than the circumference of the earth.

When the tapping of the walking stick could finally be heard traversing the old stones of the monastery, our host again motioned for us to be silent.  We were served tea, and sat with the runner, who was serene, showing no outward sign of exhaustion.  I could not think of a question to ask of this man, but he noticed me staring at the matted blood on his sock. 

As we descended again I could not stop thinking about the runner’s feet, wondering as I walked which young monk in his hurry had left a sharp stone on the path.

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i guess its not up the the sect really, but the individuals ability to eliminate the impurities in their own mind. if their sect teaches them pure ways to eliminate conditioning, and eventually, the ego, then there is no reason why their followers cannot attain enlightenment.
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The greatest athletes in the world today are neither the Olympic champions nor the stars of professional sports, but the “Marathon Monks” of Japan’s sacred Mount Hiei
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Hey its really nice to read. I will share this with my friends about this nicely written post.

Hey it is a great story and had a great time reading , the story is very well narrated, i could imagine the whole story while reading it.

Hello My family and I stayed at the Village Kyoto for three nights during our trip in June. We picked this hotel because we wanted to try something a bit more traditional (but not the most traditional ryokan type because we want the flexibility to try restaurants outside.) The room is compact yet functional.Thanks for the post.

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Mount Hiei is a mountain to the northeast of Kyoto, lying on the border between the Kyoto and Shiga prefectures, Japan.The temple of Enryaku-ji, the first outpost of the Japanese Tiantai sect of Buddhism, was founded atop Mount Hiei by Saicho in 788.

Hello This mountain is a popular area for hikers and a toll road provides access by automobile to the top of the mountain.

Mount Hiei has featured in many folk tales over the ages. Originally it was thought to be the home of gods and demons of Shinto lore, although it is predominantly known for the Buddhist monks that come from the temple of Enryaku-ji.

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