Thought-provoking short film called “The 1 000 Days” by the director Ivan Olita with breathtakingly beautiful cinematography about the spiritual practice of Kaihōgyō (“circling the mountain“), an endurance test of 1 000 days. It is performed by Tendai Buddhists, the monks of Mount Hiei (the location of the Tendai school headquarters), in Japan. The 1000-day pilgrimage has been completed by less than 50 monks in over a century.
The selection process for the Kaihōgyō starts after the first 100 days of practice. The Gyōja (practice person) will petition the senior monks to complete the remaining 900 days. In the first 100 days, withdrawal from the challenge is possible, but from day 101 onwards the monk is no longer allowed to withdraw. Historically the Gyōja must either complete the course or take his own life. In contemporary times, this is symbolic and the selection process ensures that those who embark on the practice will complete it.
Key Points
Part of Tendai Buddhism’s teaching is that enlightenment can be attained in the current life. It is through the process of selfless service and devotion that this can be achieved, and the Kaihōgyō is seen as the ultimate expression of this desire.
The book “The Marathon Monks of Mount Hiei“, by John Stevens, describes the long distance walking style which dates back over a thousand years in this manner: “Eyes focused about 100 feet ahead while moving in a steady rhythm, keeping the head level, the shoulders relaxed, the back straight, and the nose aligned with the navel.”
1st year
100 consecutive days of 25-mile runs, beginning at 1:30am, each day after an hour of prayer.
2nd and 3rd year
100 consecutive days of 25-mile runs.
4th and 5th year
100 consecutive days of 25-mile runs, performed twice for a total of 200 days.
During the fifth year of the challenge, the Gyōja faces their most challenging feat. They must survive nine days without food, water or sleep, or rest. The Gyōja sits in the Temple and recites the Fudō Myōō mantra constantly. Two monks accompany him, one on either side, to ensure he does not fall asleep. At 2 am every night he must get up to fetch water for offering from a special well, around 200 m away, as an offering for Fudō Myōō.
This time period is called the Dōiri (“Entering the Temple”) and it is purposedly made to let the Gyōja face the afterlife.
6th year
100 consecutive days of 37.5-mile runs.
7th year
100 consecutive days of 52-mile runs and 100 consecutive days of 25-mile runs.
When the Gyōja completes the Kaihōgyō , they have been so close to death that they develop a sensitivity to life like no others. By the end of the practice, the monks have achieved a form of identification with the emanation of Buddha, known as Fudō Myōō (Acala).
The fact that they make this journey on foot does not mean the movement is the goal, it is just a means to reach enlightenment. They lose themselves in the trees, rivers, purity — entranced by the rhythm of the mountain, awakening their spirits with the pace of nature from night to sunrise, day after day.
Having watched it, it would be great if this mini-film was a full documentary, as this jaw-dropping feat to attempt leaves you wanting to know and see so much more.
Watch the The Seven Year Pilgrimage to Enlightenment below
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