Reddit reviews The Marathon Monks of Mount Hiei

How about this one? - The marathon monks of Mount Hiei.

Distance running really seems engrained in Japanese culture. This is a fascinating read with some neat photos of some amazing runners

The Marathon Monks of Mount Hiei https://www.amazon.com/dp/1626549958/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_jTnwCbG881K94

I don't know enough physiology to answer your question -- in simple or complex terms -- but since 1885 there are reported to have been 46 "marathon monks" at Mt. Hiei who successfully completed a series of trials known as Kaihogyo.

Perhaps the most demanding portion of the Kaihogyo comes in the fifth year, when the monk undertakes Doiri, or "entering the temple."

>[The monk] must survive nine days without food, water, sleep, or rest. This period of time is called the doiri. Several weeks before hand, they prepare for this event by limiting themselves to small amounts of food so they will be ready when the time comes. When the doiri period begins, they spend their days reciting chants that they repeat 100,000 times. By the fifth day, they are dehydrated and are allowed to rinse their mouths with water but must spit out every last drop that enters their mouth. They usually go outside and take in the fresh mountain air where they are able to absorb moisture from the rain and dew through their skin. Usually what the gyoja finds most difficult is not the lack of food and water, but keeping awake and keeping the proper posture at all times of the day.

Source

It should be noted that the wikipedia entry states that Doiri lasts only "seven and a half days," and cites the 2013 reprint of John Stevens' The Marathon Monks of Mt. Hiei (1988).

I've not read Mr. Stevens' book, as it was out of print when I first learned of the monks of Mt. Hiei, but I have heard it is among the most comprehensive source in English on the Kaihogyo.

I also vaguely recall reading elsewhere that Doiri used to last 9 days, but had been shortened in recent times to improve its, hmm, survivability? The distances the monks run at various stages of the trial can also vary between sources, make of that what you will.

In any case, to my knowledge it's not clear exactly how the monks survive this rigorous level of meditation. Most would probably agree, however, that it's extremely dangerous and very likely injurious to ones health.

Perhaps someone more versed in medicine and physiology can provide a more exact answer to your question. My response was made primarily to highlight a specific acetic exercise that, while ancient in its origins, is not "legendary" in the sense that it's still practiced today.

I am curious to see what other responses you get. Best wishes.

I recommend: Marathon Monks of Hiei It won't tell you everything but it will give you a decent overview.

That is okay. Look at these guys:

https://www.amazon.com/Marathon-Monks-Mount-Hiei/dp/1626549958

I found it on amazon but its not on audible lol I was hoping to listen to it while running in the mornings

Check out "Marathon monks"

There's buddhist monks who walk 5000+ miles around a mountain in Japan.