penance; austerity; difficult practice
Primarily a Buddhist term for rigorous spiritual training or ascetic practice, often involving hardship. Can also refer more broadly to any difficult undertaking or ordeal.
He secluded himself in the mountains and continued his penance.
This training is truly a difficult practice.
the hard way; path of difficult practice
penance; austerities; hardship
From 難 (difficult) + 行 (practice, conduct). The term is used in Buddhist contexts to refer to arduous spiritual practices.