苦く行ぎょう

noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb

ascetic practice; penance; mortification

Primarily a religious term for severe self-discipline or physical hardship undertaken for spiritual purification. Often used in Buddhist contexts.

• 彼かれは悟さとりを開ひらくために山やまで苦く行ぎょうを続つづけた。

  He continued ascetic practices in the mountains to attain enlightenment.

• 断だん食じきは一いっ種しゅの苦く行ぎょうだ。

  Fasting is a form of penance.

noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb

hardship; ordeal; strenuous task

Figurative extension: any extremely difficult or painful undertaking, often used hyperbolically for grueling work or experiences.

• この仕し事ごとはまるで苦く行ぎょうだ。

  This job is like an ordeal.

• 毎まい朝あさのランニングは彼かれにとって苦く行ぎょうに等ひとしい。

  Running every morning is tantamount to a hardship for him.