Tendai Buddhism has come out as one of the most popular Buddhism schools from all across the globe, yet having its own charm and doctrine. Tendai which started in china with the name Tian Tai was brought to Japan by the Japanese Buddhist preacher after great research of sutras, piles of hard work and deep study of diverse preaching of Tendai from various teachers and institutes of china.
Tendai Buddhism with its distinctive system of teaching has earned immense following in the east and is on the verge of attracting the western countries as well. Out of a range of traditions of Tendai Buddhism, the running ritual of kahigiyo is also one. Kahigiyo or the running monks or the marathon Tendai are the learners of Buddhism who have to run barefoot for as long as 1000 days as a part of their education.
The real race
It is not all about running for 1000 days, a predetermined period of time; there is a lot more to it. These monks run with the sole aim of enlightening and awakening people through spirituality, they had learnt from the lotus sutras on the mountainous terrain. The 1,000 days race or around a 3years long marathon is an intense yet heartily accepted challenge by these marathon monks.
After completing a full-fledged seven years of training of maintaining the temples, performing the basic duties, studying calligraphy and meditation, these monks complete the first stage of the learning system. Hand in hand go the running sessions of 40km a day for repeated 100 days in the first 3 years of training followed by running consecutively for 200 days in the next two years and end by the sum of two repeated marathons every day for three months in the last two years.
Apart from running so hard
The running division appears so tough but the Tendai go through a lot more than that. They are not supposed to run on smooth trails; instead they run on the rocky area. They run barefoot or wearing straw sandals either of which is extremely harsh and excruciating. They are not clothed according to the weather circumstances they will be facing but just the custom attire is what they are in. Along with that they must carry the ritual apparatus like knives, candles et al for meditational purpose. And, the most amazing of all is that they don't carry food or water and depend upon the natural availability of both which at times does not occur.
What more?
After discussing the hardship of the Tendai, we must give a second thought to our lifestyle and learn dedication and discipline.
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