Going Extreme vs Religion
How extreme should we go when it comes to religion?
Going extreme. How extreme should one go? If it is about sports, wealth, work, wars, pride, fame, money, love .. etc etc .. I am totally on board with going extreme. Go extreme and grab any of those. Religion: I feel something is really really wrong about going extreme for this matter.
The original post is actually meant to inspire people to truly commit onto something. It is a good read. I totally agreed with all three points the author has shared with us. Below is what he is really trying to say with his post.
Where to Go From Here
The biggest lesson that the Tendai monks offer for everyday people like you and me is the lesson of commitment and conviction.
Imagine the sense of commitment that the monk feels on Day 101. Imagine what it feels like to embrace the final 900 days of that challenge. Imagine what it feels like to accept a goal that is so important to you that you tell yourself, “I’m going to finish this or I will die trying.”
If you have something that is important to you, then eliminate the unrelated and unimportant tasks, get started no matter how big the challenge, and commit to your goal.
Every big challenge has a turning point. Today could be your Day 101. Today could be your Day of Commitment.
However the example (copied below) from the post is a very terrible thing that I have learned for today. I’m writing my view regarding it only.
Ref: If You Commit to Nothing, You’ll Be Distracted By Everything — The Blog of James Clear — Medium
The Kaihogyo
The Kaihogyo is a 1,000 day challenge that takes place over seven years. If a monk chooses to undertake this challenge, this is what awaits him…
During Year 1, the monk must run 30 km per day (about 18 miles) for 100 straight days.
During Year 2, the monk must again run 30 km per day for 100 straight days.
During Year 3, the monk must once more run 30 km per day for 100 straight days.
During Year 4, the monk must run 30 km per day. This time for 200 straight days.
During Year 5, the monk must again run 30 km per day for 200 straight days. After completing the fifth year of running, the monk must go 9 consecutive days without food, water, or rest. Two monks stand beside him at all times to ensure that he does not fall asleep.
During Year 6, the monk must run 60 km (about 37 miles) per day for 100 straight days.
During Year 7, the monk must run 84 km (about 52 miles) per day for 100 straight days. (52 miles per day!) And then, he must run 30 km per day for the final 100 days.
The sheer volume of running is incredible, of course, but there is one final challenge that makes The Kaihogyo unlike any other feat…
Day 101
During the first 100 days of running, the monk is allowed to withdraw from the Kaihogyo.
However, from Day 101 onwards, there is no withdrawal. The monk must either complete the Kaihogyo … or take his own life.
Because of this, the monks carry a length of rope and a short sword at all times on their journey.
In the last 400+ years, only 46 men have completed the challenge. Many others can be found by their unmarked graves on the hills of Mount Hiei.
I am not a religious guy. I am more like an atheist in fact. Well, so may be that’s why I think this way and write this post. If I have offended anyone, I’m truly sorry. Better state this early before I make you read my thoughts.
IMO, religion is all about peace and balance. Peace and balance on earth. Peace and balance among countries. Peace and balance for all the living things. Then I interpret “going extreme” as standing at an edge of an seesaw. So whenever I hear or see something extreme happening regarding religion, I go “huhhh…”.
We all want to be happy and healthy. We all want fame and wealth. It is not easy to achieve those. We have to struggle and try hard everyday. Ironically all the things we want are not very peaceful. Allow me to explain better with few examples.
- We want happiness. For most of us, one of the happiness is to love or to be loved. Love is not peaceful as well. In your life there must be at least one moment that will make you go nuts because of that love.
- We want money. Simple, we have to earn it. The process is not peaceful at all. For many, it is a tiring thing.
I’m not suggesting you should kill your dreams and desires. Of course we have to continue with all those routines. It is just that while running toward our “wants”, there are times you will definitely be “tired”, “stressed”, “insecure” or “down” or “lost”.
That’s when religion jumps in. It will be a guide or a shelter or a cure or an answer for us. It should calm the trouble hearts. It should warm the tremble souls.
That’s why I was shocked when a monk (someone who wants to find eternal peace) has to make such extreme commitment. I know that whoever started or implemented Kaihogyo wanted to emphasize on the importance of commitment but for a religion, is it really a proper method?
Another thing shocked me is the beliefs of those monks. Such strong strong beliefs. They must have believed in the Kaihogyo method. If not, no sane person would do it. Believing is a good thing. However, believing to such an extent is scary. Again, extreme believing. Going off the balance.
Anyway, gonna wrap up my post. Shall stop polluting the internet with my messy thoughts. Conclusion, I believe religion is about balance and peace and going extreme for religion is a really bad thing.
Image credit to : http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmikeburton/2243984973/
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