Running Buddhas: Ultra-endurance and the spiritual athlete

Jayne Storey examines the training the Japanese Marathon Monks of Mount Hiei undertake to perform such a feat of ultra-endurance and how you can apply some of their training to your sport.

In this article, we will be looking at the Japanese Marathon Monks of Mount Hiei, who perform an incredible 1000 days of marathons, as part of their training in Tendai Buddhism - exploring the training they undertake to perform such a feat of ultra-endurance and how you can apply some of their training to your extreme and/or endurance sports.

The Marathon Monks

The marathon monks of Japan are a group of Buddhists who push the limits of human endurance in search of a higher plane of spirituality. The ritual followed by these monks is almost beyond belief:

1st year: 100 consecutive days of 26.2-mile marathons, beginning at 1:30 a.m., each day after an hour of prayer
2nd year: 100 consecutive days of 26.2-mile marathons
3rd year: 100 consecutive days of 26.2-mile marathons
4th year: 100 consecutive days of 26.2-mile marathons - performed twice
5th year: 100 consecutive days of 26.2-mile marathons - performed twice
On the 700th day, the monks undergo a nine-day fast without food, water, rest, or sleep - a mind-boggling feat that would result in certain death for most human beings, before having a short rest of a few weeks and increasing their gruelling schedule
6th year: 100 consecutive days of 37.5-mile marathons
7th year: 100 days of 52.2-mile marathons and 100 days of 26.2-mile marathons.

Throughout the night, they run and pray, stopping at different stations along the way to recite prayers and perform ritual chants. Upon completion of each day's marathon, the monks perform chores such as cleaning the temple, and they continue to pray throughout the day, until retiring at 8:00 or 9:00 p.m. The ritual begins again a few hours later. Suppose at any time the monk finds himself physically or mentally unable to complete the 100-day ritual. In that case, he is bound to commit suicide by hanging himself with the belt from his robe or through ritual disembowelment. And you thought the London Marathon was challenging!

Is it physically or mentally healthy to push the limits of your endurance?

Like any sporting endeavour, running ultra-long distances is an individual thing; it comes more easily to some than others. Women, in particular, seem to possess the ability to trot along for hours on end. Also, advances in nutrition and supplementation, along with high-tech gear and shoes have made ultra runs easier than they used to be. For all of us, however, running like this will take its toll on joints, tendons, and connective tissue. Furthermore, the training can be time-consuming and tiring. It is tough to squeeze a 20-mile training run into a busy schedule, as, unlike the marathon monks, most of us have full-time jobs, families, and children to raise, on top of our athletic goals.

So, should you try to stretch the limits of your endurance?

Well, there are some pretty good reasons why you might want to. As with anything in life, the maxim "nothing ventured, nothing gained" applies. Psychologists believe the only way for each of us to be truly happy and content in life is to know that we are striving towards and accomplishing something every day. The human mind needs goals, something to focus on. Our bodies too need to reach, stretch, achieve and excel. We gain energy by using energy. We conquer our limitations by conquering or surpassing them. Yet the investment of time you need to make in endurance sports is larger than in say tennis, football or golf - but otherwise, there are no other requirements needed to try to double or triple your mileage or run more marathons more frequently than you have before. Sure, someone else has already done it, but by reaching beyond what you think you are capable of, you stand to learn a lot about yourself.

How do the Marathon Monks Train?

Interestingly, to qualify as a mountain marathon runner, a trainee monk has first to master seated meditation, with major emphasis placed on deep abdominal breathing. Other essential factors are chanting, proper rhythm, and intense concentration which enable the monk to cover meters and meters with each breath, keeping pace with the beat of their mantra. An experienced monk flows along naturally, maintaining the same speed for climbing up or down the mountain paths, and does not allow himself to become distracted by any obstacle, whether external or internal.

In his book about the monks, John Stevens details the result of their practice:

"In the last 300 days of the marathon, the focus shifts…a balance is struck between practice for one's own sake and practice for the benefit of all. In the end, the marathon monk has become one with the mountain…The joy of practice has been discovered…The stars and sky, the stones, the plants, and the trees, have become the monk's trusted companions; he can predict the week's weather by the shape of the clouds, the direction of the wind, and the smell of the air…and he takes special delight in that magic moment of the day when the moon sets and the sun rises, poised in the centre of creation".

What can you learn from the Marathon Monks?

Sports Psychologists are fast coming to conclusions long known by those following Eastern traditions - that is, that the mind rules the body. In any aspect of training, it is always the mind that quits first and the body that follows - hence, the marathon monks' training for their seven yearlong ultra-endurance feats is entirely about training the mind to ignore distractions of any shape or form, from physical pain, mental anguish, loneliness, boredom, etc.

Here are some things you can do to train your mind to maintain a calm, even, and neutral state, which will allow your body to move uninhibited and keep you free from doubt, anxiety, and all other mental symptoms.

Meditation Training

Meditation is the act of sitting quietly, doing nothing but focusing on your breathing. Breathing is the most important of all your bodily functions - your very life depends on it - but it is the most widely neglected of all our daily activities. Breath is the first thing given to us and the last thing taken away, the most precious thing of all, yet we ignore it or pay it minimal attention. The brain undergoes subtle changes during meditation.

Research shows that meditation can train the mind and reshape the brain. Tests using the most sophisticated imaging techniques suggest that meditation can reset the brain, changing the point at which a traffic jam, for instance, sets the blood boiling. What the scientists discovered through these studies is that with enough practice, the neurons in the brain will re-shape themselves, and many parts of the brain responsible for taking in information, slow down or go off-line altogether during meditation, enabling the practitioner to have a more positive experience of themselves and detach from negative feelings and situations.

Meditation also results in a pronounced change in brain-wave patterns, shifting from the alpha waves of aroused, conscious thought to the theta waves that dominate the brain during periods of deep relaxation. Contentment and a real sense of inner peace are the natural results.

How to Practice

Hide your car, switch off your mobile phone and tell everyone you have gone to Alaska! In other words, find a quiet time and space where you will not be disturbed by everyday activities. Sit on a chair, with your feet firmly on the floor, or sit cross-legged on a cushion on the floor. Make sure your back is straight, your shoulders are relaxed, your chin is tucked under, and the crown of your head is lifted towards the ceiling. Place your left palm inside your right palm (palms facing upwards) and gently press the tips of your thumbs together. Rest your hands in your lap. Once you are comfortable, concentrate on your breathing, specifically, on counting each breath, e.g. breathe in and breathe out and count one. Breathe in and breathe out and count two. Breathe in and breathe out and count three.

The idea is to count each breath from one to ten. If you lose your place by getting distracted by other thoughts, gently bring your mind back to what you are doing and start again from one. When you get to ten, start from one again.

If thoughts come up, they invariably will, just let them pass through your mind like clouds moving across the sky on a windy day. Relax fully. Do not try to take deep breaths, be mindful of keeping your body posture strong but relaxed, and quietly focus on counting your breath.

What to Expect

Over time, you will gradually find your breathing becomes deeper and slower. You may also feel the heat in the lower abdomen because as you learn to relax, your breathing will naturally deepen, and you will find your lower abdomen moving up and down as you breathe in and out, rather than your chest and shoulders. If at any time during your practice, you feel dizzy or light-headed, stop training and rest quietly for a while. Continue the next day. Start your meditation practice by concentrating for just a few minutes each day and build up your training gradually. Over time you will find yourself getting physically and mentally stronger and feeling more relaxed.

Introducing Distractions

Once you can meditate peacefully without distractions, try to introduce some background irritations. For instance, you can try meditating while the kids are getting ready for bed or while the radio is on or with a clock ticking in the room, or with your partner tapping away at the computer in the background. Also, try meditating while you are physically uncomfortable, for instance, sitting on the edge of a chair or kneeling on the floor. This way, you are introducing mild annoyances, which you must learn to ignore, while you continue to concentrate on your breathing. You can then progress to moving while you meditate.

Practice your deep breathing while getting ready for your run or event while putting on your training kit and shoes. Revisit this state in the locker room at the gym, with other people buzzing around. Practice your meditation for a few minutes while on the starting line of your next marathon and of course, focus on breathing long, deep, and slowly while on your next run. Each time your mind gets distracted by your watch, tight calf muscles, stitch in your side, and so on, calmly and quietly bring your mind back to your breathing.

Chanting and Mantra's

You do not have to be religiously or spiritually inclined to practice mantra meditation - the constant repetition of a phrase, either quietly to yourself or spoken aloud in a constant refrain. Any phrase that taps into your potential and focuses on what you want to achieve will suffice.

Try keeping part of your focus on your breathing, while calmly reciting over and over again (either aloud or in your mind) any of the following phrases - or make up some of your own:

I am Lean, Strong, and Relaxed
My Running is Fluid, Smooth, and Relaxed
Powerful and Graceful, I Can Run This Way for Hours
Easy Does it. Stay Relaxed.

Article Reference

This article first appeared in:

STOREY, J. (2007) Running Buddhas: Ultra-endurance and the spiritual athlete. Brian Mackenzie's Successful Coaching, (ISSN 1745-7513/ 41/ April), p. 5-6

Page Reference

If you quote information from this page in your work, then the reference for this page is:

STOREY, J. (2007) Running Buddhas: Ultra-endurance and the spiritual athlete [WWW] Available from: https://www.brianmac.co.uk/articles/scni41a2.htm [Accessed

About the Author

Jayne Storey is a specialist in T`ai Chi and uses this to help athletes and teams with balance, posture, body mechanics, attention control, coordination, stress management, mindfulness, and also to create the right internal conditions for accessing the sporting zone/flow state.


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In this article, we will be looking at the Japanese Marathon Monks of Mount Hiei, who perform an incredible 1000 days of marathons, as part of their training in Tendai Buddhism - exploring the training they undertake to perform such a feat of ultra-endurance and how you can apply some of their training to your extreme and/or endurance sports. The Marathon Monks The marathon monks of Japan are a group of Buddhists who push the limits of human endurance in search of a higher plane of spirituality. The ritual followed by these monks is almost beyond belief: 1st year: 100 consecutive days of 26.2-mile marathons, beginning at 1:30 a.m., each day after an hour of prayer 2nd year: 100 consecutive days of 26.2-mile marathons 3rd year: 100 consecutive days of 26.2-mile marathons 4th year: 100 consecutive days of 26.2-mile marathons - performed twice 5th year: 100 consecutive days of 26.2-mile marathons - performed twice On the 700th day, the monks undergo a nine-day fast without food, water, rest, or sleep - a mind-boggling feat that would result in certain death for most human beings, before having a short rest of a few weeks and increasing their gruelling schedule 6th year: 100 consecutive days of 37.5-mile marathons 7th year: 100 days of 52.2-mile marathons and 100 days of 26.2-mile marathons. Throughout the night, they run and pray, stopping at different stations along the way to recite prayers and perform ritual chants. Upon completion of each day's marathon, the monks perform chores such as cleaning the temple, and they continue to pray throughout the day, until retiring at 8:00 or 9:00 p.m. The ritual begins again a few hours later. Suppose at any time the monk finds himself physically or mentally unable to complete the 100-day ritual. In that case, he is bound to commit suicide by hanging himself with the belt from his robe or through ritual disembowelment. And you thought the London Marathon was challenging! Is it physically or mentally healthy to push the limits of your endurance? Like any sporting endeavour, running ultra-long distances is an individual thing; it comes more easily to some than others. Women, in particular, seem to possess the ability to trot along for hours on end. Also, advances in nutrition and supplementation, along with high-tech gear and shoes have made ultra runs easier than they used to be. For all of us, however, running like this will take its toll on joints, tendons, and connective tissue. Furthermore, the training can be time-consuming and tiring. It is tough to squeeze a 20-mile training run into a busy schedule, as, unlike the marathon monks, most of us have full-time jobs, families, and children to raise, on top of our athletic goals. So, should you try to stretch the limits of your endurance? Well, there are some pretty good reasons why you might want to. As with anything in life, the maxim "nothing ventured, nothing gained" applies. Psychologists believe the only way for each of us to be truly happy and content in life is to know that we are striving towards and accomplishing something every day. The human mind needs goals, something to focus on. Our bodies too need to reach, stretch, achieve and excel. We gain energy by using energy. We conquer our limitations by conquering or surpassing them. Yet the investment of time you need to make in endurance sports is larger than in say tennis, football or golf - but otherwise, there are no other requirements needed to try to double or triple your mileage or run more marathons more frequently than you have before. Sure, someone else has already done it, but by reaching beyond what you think you are capable of, you stand to learn a lot about yourself. How do the Marathon Monks Train? Interestingly, to qualify as a mountain marathon runner, a trainee monk has first to master seated meditation, with major emphasis placed on deep abdominal breathing. Other essential factors are chanting, proper rhythm, and intense concentration which enable the monk to cover meters and meters with each breath, keeping pace with the beat of their mantra. An experienced monk flows along naturally, maintaining the same speed for climbing up or down the mountain paths, and does not allow himself to become distracted by any obstacle, whether external or internal. In his book about the monks, John Stevens details the result of their practice: "In the last 300 days of the marathon, the focus shifts…a balance is struck between practice for one's own sake and practice for the benefit of all. In the end, the marathon monk has become one with the mountain…The joy of practice has been discovered…The stars and sky, the stones, the plants, and the trees, have become the monk's trusted companions; he can predict the week's weather by the shape of the clouds, the direction of the wind, and the smell of the air…and he takes special delight in that magic moment of the day when the moon sets and the sun rises, poised in the centre of creation". What can you learn from the Marathon Monks? Sports Psychologists are fast coming to conclusions long known by those following Eastern traditions - that is, that the mind rules the body. In any aspect of training, it is always the mind that quits first and the body that follows - hence, the marathon monks' training for their seven yearlong ultra-endurance feats is entirely about training the mind to ignore distractions of any shape or form, from physical pain, mental anguish, loneliness, boredom, etc. Here are some things you can do to train your mind to maintain a calm, even, and neutral state, which will allow your body to move uninhibited and keep you free from doubt, anxiety, and all other mental symptoms. Meditation Training Meditation is the act of sitting quietly, doing nothing but focusing on your breathing. Breathing is the most important of all your bodily functions - your very life depends on it - but it is the most widely neglected of all our daily activities. Breath is the first thing given to us and the last thing taken away, the most precious thing of all, yet we ignore it or pay it minimal attention. The brain undergoes subtle changes during meditation. Research shows that meditation can train the mind and reshape the brain. Tests using the most sophisticated imaging techniques suggest that meditation can reset the brain, changing the point at which a traffic jam, for instance, sets the blood boiling. What the scientists discovered through these studies is that with enough practice, the neurons in the brain will re-shape themselves, and many parts of the brain responsible for taking in information, slow down or go off-line altogether during meditation, enabling the practitioner to have a more positive experience of themselves and detach from negative feelings and situations. Meditation also results in a pronounced change in brain-wave patterns, shifting from the alpha waves of aroused, conscious thought to the theta waves that dominate the brain during periods of deep relaxation. Contentment and a real sense of inner peace are the natural results. How to Practice Hide your car, switch off your mobile phone and tell everyone you have gone to Alaska! In other words, find a quiet time and space where you will not be disturbed by everyday activities. Sit on a chair, with your feet firmly on the floor, or sit cross-legged on a cushion on the floor. Make sure your back is straight, your shoulders are relaxed, your chin is tucked under, and the crown of your head is lifted towards the ceiling. Place your left palm inside your right palm (palms facing upwards) and gently press the tips of your thumbs together. Rest your hands in your lap. Once you are comfortable, concentrate on your breathing, specifically, on counting each breath, e.g. breathe in and breathe out and count one. Breathe in and breathe out and count two. Breathe in and breathe out and count three. The idea is to count each breath from one to ten. If you lose your place by getting distracted by other thoughts, gently bring your mind back to what you are doing and start again from one. When you get to ten, start from one again. If thoughts come up, they invariably will, just let them pass through your mind like clouds moving across the sky on a windy day. Relax fully. Do not try to take deep breaths, be mindful of keeping your body posture strong but relaxed, and quietly focus on counting your breath. What to Expect Over time, you will gradually find your breathing becomes deeper and slower. You may also feel the heat in the lower abdomen because as you learn to relax, your breathing will naturally deepen, and you will find your lower abdomen moving up and down as you breathe in and out, rather than your chest and shoulders. If at any time during your practice, you feel dizzy or light-headed, stop training and rest quietly for a while. Continue the next day. Start your meditation practice by concentrating for just a few minutes each day and build up your training gradually. Over time you will find yourself getting physically and mentally stronger and feeling more relaxed. Introducing Distractions Once you can meditate peacefully without distractions, try to introduce some background irritations. For instance, you can try meditating while the kids are getting ready for bed or while the radio is on or with a clock ticking in the room, or with your partner tapping away at the computer in the background. Also, try meditating while you are physically uncomfortable, for instance, sitting on the edge of a chair or kneeling on the floor. This way, you are introducing mild annoyances, which you must learn to ignore, while you continue to concentrate on your breathing. You can then progress to moving while you meditate. Practice your deep breathing while getting ready for your run or event while putting on your training kit and shoes. Revisit this state in the locker room at the gym, with other people buzzing around. Practice your meditation for a few minutes while on the starting line of your next marathon and of course, focus on breathing long, deep, and slowly while on your next run. Each time your mind gets distracted by your watch, tight calf muscles, stitch in your side, and so on, calmly and quietly bring your mind back to your breathing. Chanting and Mantra's You do not have to be religiously or spiritually inclined to practice mantra meditation - the constant repetition of a phrase, either quietly to yourself or spoken aloud in a constant refrain. Any phrase that taps into your potential and focuses on what you want to achieve will suffice. Try keeping part of your focus on your breathing, while calmly reciting over and over again (either aloud or in your mind) any of the following phrases - or make up some of your own: I am Lean, Strong, and Relaxed My Running is Fluid, Smooth, and Relaxed Powerful and Graceful, I Can Run This Way for Hours Easy Does it. Stay Relaxed. Article Reference This article first appeared in: STOREY, J. (2007) Running Buddhas: Ultra-endurance and the spiritual athlete. Brian Mackenzie's Successful Coaching, (ISSN 1745-7513/ 41/ April), p. 5-6 Page Reference If you quote information from this page in your work, then the reference for this page is: STOREY, J. (2007) Running Buddhas: Ultra-endurance and the spiritual athlete [WWW] Available from: https://www.brianmac.co.uk/articles/scni41a2.htm [Accessed About the Author Jayne Storey is a specialist in T`ai Chi and uses this to help athletes and teams with balance, posture, body mechanics, attention control, coordination, stress management, mindfulness, and also to create the right internal conditions for accessing the sporting zone/flow state.