The Bad-Ass Of This Century
Nominations are no longer being accepted. Thanks to Nate Carpenter for sending me this story from MSNBC:MOUNT HIEI, Japan (AP) -In Japan, Buddhist monks wear black. Dead people wear white.
For more than seven years, Genshin Fujinami dressed in white from head to toe while covering the backwoods trails of this sacred mountain in one of the world's most grueling feats - a punishing quest that combined starvation, isolation and the equivalent of a lap around the equator.
For 1,000 days, rising well before dawn, Fujinami embarked alone, rain or shine, on his journey, running or briskly walking more than 50 miles - that's almost two marathons - each day as the trial neared its climax. Along with his white robes, his only gear was a pair of straw sandals, a long straw hat, candles, a shovel, a length of rope and a short sword.
The rope and sword weren't for survival - if for some reason he could not complete his daily trek, he was to use them to kill himself.
...Since 1885, only 48 "marathon monks'' of Buddhism's Tendai sect have accomplished the ritual. Those who do earn the title of "dai-ajari,'' or living saint. At least one of the monks to attempt the trial is known to have killed himself in modern times, Fujinami said.
The quest dates to the eighth century and is believed to be a path to enlightenment. Monks carry a little book of prayers and incantations, which they offer at about 300 temples and sacred spots along the way. Other than that, they don't stop for breaks.
I know it's kind of a philosophical twist to refer to a monk as "bad-ass," but what else could you possibly call this guy? He was covering 50+ miles a day in STRAW FREAKING SANDALS.
Oh, and there's nothing like taking rope and a sword in case you get a cramp in your calf and can't finish one workout in seven years.
I think this could be characterized as a "high-risk" path to enlightenment.
Then there's this:
Fujinami said his most difficult trial came during the fifth year, when he had to sit in the lotus position before a raging fire and chant mantras for nine days without food, water or sleep in an esoteric ritual called "doiri,'' or "entering the temple.''
After 330 prostrations, the monk repeats a mantra to Fudo Myo-o 100,000 times. Two attendants take turns being with him before the altar to keep watch, making sure he doesn't stop, fall asleep or pass out. On the fifth day, the monk is allowed to rinse out his mouth, but not to swallow the water.
Good grief, that's the grind to end all grinds. Who designed these trials--the guys who did Lineage?
Plus, to make the nine-day test even more severe, his attendants roasted marshmallows for the first three days.
It's such an incredible story that it defies comprehension. Even if you've done some extreme endurance events in your athletic career, just reading about Fujinami is incredibly humbling.
I don't see anyone in the next ninety-two years matching him.
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