難なん行ぎょう

noun

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.

• 彼かれは山やまにこもって難なん行ぎょうを続つづけた。

  He secluded himself in the mountains and continued his penance.

• この修しゅ行ぎょうはまさに難なん行ぎょうだ。

  This training is truly a difficult practice.