One Step at a Time
Life's Marathon, Lessons from the Marathon Monks
“There are a hundred valid reasons why something can't be done, but only one reason, Commitment, why it can.”
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie
One Step at a Time
Chasing Influence: Transformational Coaching to Build Champions for Life.
High in the mist-covered mountains of Japan, a small group of monks have taken part in a journey unlike any other—a journey so grueling that fewer people have completed it than have summited Everest without oxygen. This is the kaihōgyō, a seven-year walking meditation undertaken by the Tendai Buddhist monks of Mount Hiei, an endurance ritual that pushes the boundaries of human capability and spiritual devotion.
Since 1885, only 46 monks have successfully completed this extraordinary spiritual and physical trial. Their journey is not merely about distance—it is a moving meditation, a sacred pilgrimage that links hundreds of ancient shrines. Each step is a prayer, each breath a surrender to something greater than themselves.
For the first three years, the monks walk approximately 18 miles daily for 100 consecutive days, navigating steep, unforgiving mountain trails in traditional straw sandals, no matter the weather. In the fourth year, the intensity doubles to 200 days. The fifth year continues the harrowing challenge, including a nine period where monks must go without food, water, or sleep. This feat pushes them to the very edge of human endurance.
The challenge intensifies further in the sixth year, as monks cover 37 miles daily for 100 days, before the seventh year culminates in two final 100-day phases. In the first, they complete double marathons daily, sleeping just two hours per night. The last 100 days return to the original 18-mile routine. By the end of their journey, they will have covered a distance equivalent to circling the Earth.
Amazingly, the kaihōgyō is not about physical achievement or breaking records. It is a test of absolute commitment—to the path, to spiritual awakening, and to the idea that true enlightenment comes through relentless perseverance. While monks may step away within the first 100 days, continuing beyond that point means embracing the journey fully. Traditionally, the stakes were life itself. Monks carry a rope and dagger, symbols of an era when failure to complete the path meant taking one’s own life. Though no longer observed, the presence of these items underscores the gravity of their vow.
But why undertake something so extreme? The monks themselves describe it not as suffering, but as shedding the ego, as aligning themselves fully with the mountain, the practice, and the divine. Each moment of exhaustion, every blistered step, is a lesson in presence, patience, and purpose.
Our modern world is one of quick fixes, instant gratification, and fleeting motivation. The marathon monks of Mount Hiei remind us that transformative achievements require a far deeper and unwavering commitment. Their journey show how limitations are often self-imposed and that greatness is not found in sudden bursts of effort, but in the quiet, disciplined act of showing up every day, regardless of circumstances.
As we reach for our own goals—in leadership, careers, relationships, or personal growth—the monks offer an extraordinary example. Few of us will walk thousands of miles in straw sandals, but we all face mountains of our own. The monks show us that extraordinary achievement is not reserved for the superhuman, but for those who are steadfastly committed to their path—one step at a time.
“It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.”
– Confucius
Connecting this quote to the story. True progress is made through consistent, unwavering effort, showing that endurance and transformation come not from speed, but from never giving up—one step at a time
Chasing Influence tip: Our daily habits build long-term success.
If you enjoyed this story, a series of three Chasing Influence workbooks is available. Stories are accompanied by discussion questions and answers. Each workbook contains 33 lessons to use with any team.
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©Troy Urdahl, 2025