The Marathon Monks Of Mount Hiei |
 
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| The greatest athletes in the world today are neither the Olympic
champions nor the stars of professional sports, but the "marathon monks" of
Japan's sacred Mount Hiei. Over a seven year training period, these "running buddhas" figuratively circle the globe on foot. During one incredible 100-day
stretch, they cover 52.2 miles daily - twice the length of an Olympic marathon.
But the prize they seek is not a pot of gold nor a few fleeting moments of
glory, rather it is to capture the greatest thing a human being can achieve:
enlightenment in the here and now - whereupon they will become living Buddhas -
modern day saints.
This one hour television documentary is about one of these amazing men - Tanno Kakudo, the magic mountain on which he trains, and the philosophy and history of Tendai Buddhism, which inspires him in his quest for the supreme. The viewer will witness this monk's death-defying fast, his mummifying fire ceremonies, his vegetarian training diet, his support team, and his incredible feats of athletic endurance. |
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The story of Tanno Kakudo never lets the audience rest. Having accomplished one amazing feat, he is immediately challenged by something even greater. Just when the viewer is comfortable with Tanno's first year of marathons in the pouring rain with just straw sandals and no socks, he stuns them by announcing that if he fails to complete any part of the prescribed practice, it is his duty to take his own life - by either hanging or self-disembowelment. As he breaks each barrier of human frailty, both his stature and following grow as he becomes a spiritual icon. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Also this program provides a good insight into the Japanese ethos. It helps us to understand the driving forces behind Japan's economy and the work ethic of her population. Today, Tanno is a national hero to Japan's new consumer society because in his simple way he symbolizes the singular determination they all aspire to achieve. For the Westerner, this documentary tells us we are all on a pilgrimage in one manner or another and the marathon monks of Hiei have much to teach us about the journey. Always aim for the ultimate, never look back, be forever mindful of others, and keep the mind at all times set on the way. "If you do this, " the marathon monks are telling us, "there is nothing that cannot be accomplished." |
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The "Marathon Monks of Mount Hiei" was produced by Millennium Television Corporation as a co-production with Channel Four Television in the UK. Additional funding was provided by The Japan Foundation. Channel Four Television broadcast a completely different version of the same film. This version contains additional material and has been structured for the North American audience. A fifteen minute clip from this documentary was used by National Geographic as a segment for the "Explorer" series. The producer Christopher J. Hayden is a former BBC Television documentary director and editor with over thirty years experience. He has ten feature length television dramas and over one hundred television documentaries to his credit. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The original book by John Steven is published by Shambala Press 1-617-424-0030. For more subject information and other books by John Stevens go to: http://www.enso-dojo.org/ We also suggest you visit the Enso Center for International Arts at http://www.enso-center.org/ To purchase a VHS copy or to acquire rights to broadcast this program, please call: Documentary Education Resources 101 Mouse Street Watertown, MA 02472-2554 1-617-926-0491 Direct to purchase page: http://www.buyindies.com/listings/1/0/1019067126109.html.
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