The Japanese Superman - Took the Do-It-Or-Die Pledge

Sakai Yusai

Sakai Yusai, aka "The Japanese Superman," is an 81-year old Tendai monk living in Japan, who is only one of 46 monks to have run 1,000 marathons through the terrain of Mt. Hiei, in seven years. That's right, 1,000 marathons through the mountains in seven years!

Not only that, but the last 100 marathons were double-marathons - over 85 kilometres per day in distance. These marathons were run, without fail, in batches of 100. You cannot miss a day. Nor can you seek medical treatment if you fall ill. You cannot complain about the terrain (you run through the mountains of Mt. Hiei in Kyoto) in sandals made from rice. You cannot whine about the snow, the rain, the hail or the cold. Or the wild pigs or poisonous snakes who show up to snap at your heels.

In addition to the above, you can't make excuses about being underfed. You're only given a bit more than1,000 calories per day of sustenance - far less than what you burn off in your daily trek.

Making matters even more complicated, after you've run 700 marathons, you're given the task of going nine days without food, water or sleep - as you sit in meditation. If you live through this nine-day fast - you're given a couple weeks to regain your strength, and then you begin the final leg of your journey - 300 more marathons.

AND - as IF that isn't enough, once you've finished your 1,000th marathon, there is no big parade for you. There is no Disney World. Instead, you do another fast. No food, no water and no sleep. This time - you go meditate before the FIRE.

While sitting before the fire you must read the prayers of at least 100,000 people who seek your guidance. Each prayer is written on a stick of wood. You read it, offer a prayer for this person, then place the stick into the fire. This goes on for seven days, with no rest. No food. No water. And no complaining.

Quote:
Don't Forget: As part of the Bushido code, at any time that you come to believe you cannot accomplish your goal, you must take your own life. Sakai Yusai agreed to this code.

After completing his "Do-it-or-Die" Challenge, Sakai Yusai asked to do it again as he believed he could do better. And indeed, he could. The second time he completed the challenge in six years. He was 61 years old at the time.

I should mention, in Japan, any monk who can complete this challenge is considered a Living Buddha - a saint - an enlightened being. Even so, Sakai Yusai will simply say, "I'm just a man."

One of the things to note, however, wasn't just what Sakai Yusai accomplished,but was the fact that prior to accepting the "Do-it-or-Die" challenge, he had failed at virtually everything he EVER did. Not only that, just to make matters worse, when he was 40, his wife committed suicide.

He had every reason in the world to give up, to think that he'd never amount to anything. Yet, he rose above himself and his circumstances and attained greatness.