'Marathon monk' finishes 7-year journey
From the "I just flew in, and boy are my arms tired" Department:
TOKYO -- A Buddhist priest dubbed the "marathon monk" has completed an ancient running ritual in the remote Japanese mountains that took seven years and covered a distance equivalent to a trip round the globe, wearing only a white robe and flimsy straw sandals.
The 44-year-old monk, Genshin Fujinami, returned Thursday from his 24,800-mile spiritual journey in the Hiei mountains, a range of five peaks that rise above the ancient capital of Kyoto.
"I entrusted everything to God. I am satisfied," Fujinami was quoted as saying.
Since 1885, only 46 other so-called "marathon monks" of the Tendai sect have survived the ritual, which dates to the eighth century and is believed to be a path to enlightenment, temple officials said. The last monk to complete it returned in 1994.
A few have done it twice; many more have not lived to finish. Traditionally, any monk, or gyoja, who can't continue to the end must take his own life, either by hanging or disembowelment.
Yikes...failure is NOT an option....
A Nike spokeman announced this morning that they have entered into negotiation's with Fujinami's representative. Apparently, Phil Knight realized that they have an opportunity to corner the ritual suicide market.
