Buddhism and Asceticism

While the Buddha did reject asceticism, in the extreme ways practiced by indian "sadhu" (holy men) at the time he was alive. He did not entirely forgo less extreme versions of ascetic practices as a means to train the body and mind and abandon all worldly attachments. Thirteen "dhutangas" were laid out by the Buddha as means to liberate the body and mind from outside distractions, such as lavish or excessive clothes, overindulgence/over-dependence on food, and attachment to where one lives. The idea of asceticism within the confines of Buddhism sounds counterintuitive, because it is well known that asceticism in hinduism along with the caste system were two of the main things cast away by the Buddha. However, these renunciations should be separated from any notion of asceticism associated with the Hindu system. Unlike the practices of naked Sadhus, who go long periods of time without food, covered in ash, meditating for weeks on end or otherwise depriving their bodies of sensory experience, these dhutangas are simple instructions such as eating only a single meal a day, wearing only robes which have been found abandoned, or to sleep without shelter on the ground. They are much more moderate than the cryptic texts of hindu mystics. Urging practitioners only to renounce the superfluous things of day to day life which create attachment, in order to aid the process of liberation from suffering. There are five motivations which the buddha says are correct reasons to embark on the practice of these dhutangas: out of ignorance stemming from the practitioner having met others who practice the dhutangas and having been impressed by the perceived effects, to lesson greed in ones life, out of "madness", for their simple, healthy effects, because the Buddha did so. These practices, if practiced correctly and for the right reasons will yield many virtues for the practitioner.

Above is an example of a modern sadhu practicing some interesting ascetic techniques.

For more information on the thirteen dhutangas visit:
   http://en.dhammadana.org/sangha/dhutanga.htm
         

Image source:  http://images.fineartamerica.com/images-medium-large/a-sadhu-or-holy-man-buries-his-head-george-f-mobley.jpg