難なん行ぎょう苦く行ぎょう

noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru'

penance; austerities; hardship

A yojijukugo referring to severe religious austerities or, by extension, any extremely difficult undertaking. Often used in Buddhist contexts for ascetic practices, but also figuratively for grueling efforts.

• 彼かれは難なん行ぎょう苦く行ぎょうの末すえに悟さとりを開ひらいた。

  He attained enlightenment after severe austerities.

• このプロジェクトはまさに難なん行ぎょう苦く行ぎょうだった。

  This project was truly a grueling ordeal.