The Marathon Monks of Mount Hiei

The Marathon Monks of Mount Hiei are a group of Buddhist practitioners known for their extraordinary 1000-day training regimen called the Kaihōgyō. During this period, they undertake a series of intense, multi-day ascetic walks totaling over 50,000 kilometers—roughly the distance around the Earth—while maintaining spiritual discipline. These monks aim to attain enlightenment, demonstrating deep devotion, mental resilience, and physical endurance through their rigorous practice. The tradition, rooted in Tendai Buddhism, symbolizes spiritual purification and commitment, reflecting centuries of monastic devotion on Japan’s Mount Hiei.