The Marathon Monks of Mount Hiei [Paperback]

John Stevens (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

pap. $12.95. rel Japan's Mount Hiei is home to the monastery of the "Running Buddhas" or "marathon monks" who pursue enlightenment via 1000-day marathons that must each be completed in a seven-year training period. Stevens, a professor of Buddhist studies, offers a dense discussion of the origin and spiritual principles of Tendai Buddhism, out of which the runners' vision was born; a look at the marathon itself; and introductions to several monks whose portraits add human interest. Something of a novelty item, with value for students of comparative religion. EC
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 158 pages
• Publisher: Shambhala; 1st edition (May 12, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0877734151
• ISBN-13: 978-0877734154
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #438,828 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No words can ever describe the emotions..., August 19, 2001

By 

Camil Richard (Blainville, Québec, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Marathon Monks of Mount Hiei (Paperback)

No word can ever describe the emotions you will live in the reading of this book. It is sad that no one cared to mention that John Stevens,(the author) is himself a Marathon Monk. (I finished translating this book into French, in 1991)

Aucun mot ne peut décrire les émotions que vous vivrez à la lecture de ce livre. Il est triste que nul n'a fait mention que John Stevens, (l'auteur) est lui-même un moine du marathon. (J'ai terminé la traduction de ce livre, en français, en 1991)

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Human Endurance, September 11, 2000

By 

Maureen Wang "Membio" (Yorkshire, UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Marathon Monks of Mount Hiei (Paperback)

This book will shock and amaze!

These monks are so inspirational any person facing hardship should read this book to give some perspective to life.

After running for 2 years you finally get to wear your rain hat-- if a monk fails to finish his run-- he is supposed to kill himself.

no nike cross-trainers.. they run in straw sandals--

I must read for any martial artist

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible Inspiration, March 9, 2005

By 

Absolut_Me - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Marathon Monks of Mount Hiei (Paperback)

If you are ever dragging to get out for your morning run...the marathon monks will guilt you into calling in sick so you can run all day. This is absolutely one of the single most amazing books I've ever read, and even if it were fiction, it would be incredible.