The Marathon Monks of Mount Hiei
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. ECCopyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.