Mount Hiei (比叡山, Hiei-zan?) is a mountain to the northeast of Kyoto, lying on the border between the Kyoto and Shiga prefectures, Japan.
The temple of Enryaku-ji, the first Japanese outpost of Tendai sect of Buddhism, was founded atop Mount Hiei by Saichō in 788. Both Nichiren and Honen studied at the temple before leaving to start their own practices. The temple complex was razed by Oda Nobunaga in 1571 to quell the rising power of the Tendai's warrior monks (sōhei), but it was rebuilt and remains the Tendai headquarters to this day.
Mount Hiei in folklore
Mount Hiei has featured in many folk tales over the ages. Originally it was thought to be the home of gods and demons of Shinto lore, although it is predominantly known for the Buddhist monks that come from the temple of Enryaku-ji.
Marathon monks
John Stevens wrote the book "The Marathon Monks of Mount Hiei," chronicling the practice of walking long distances (up to 52 miles) in a single day to attain enlightenment in the monk's current life. These monks were known as the Kaihōgyō.
Access
While the mountain is a popular area for hikers, a toll road provides an easier access by automobile to the top of the mountain. There are also two routes of funiculars: the Eizan Cable from the Kyoto side to the connecting point with an aerial tramway to the top and the Sakamoto Cable from the Shiga side to the foot of Enryaku-ji.
External links
References
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