Importance of Asceticism

[Nito]

Hello all,

i wanted to ask how important asceticism in Buddhism is. Especially for people who just „started buddhism“ i.e. to what extent should they begin to absent from unpleasant things and from what things foremost.

Thank you in advance!

[DNS]

For a beginner, one could start with avoiding intoxicants; alcohol, drugs, cigarettes and see how that effects the mind and alertness, mindfulness. Later one could try further forms of renunciation, for example trying not to eat beyond noon or alternatively trying not to eat too much, not too many "comfort" foods, sweets, etc.

[Padipa]

For a beginner, one could start with avoiding intoxicants; alcohol, drugs, cigarettes and see how that effects the mind and alertness, mindfulness. Later one could try further forms of renunciation, for example trying not to eat beyond noon or alternatively trying not to eat too much, not too many "comfort" foods, sweets, etc.

Agreed!

The best way to change is to go about it slowly: make little gains, then build on them. This reverses negative inertia & develops confidence. Hiking the highest mountains requires acclimatization for most people.

[SarathW]

Lay people are expected to observe the five precepts and eight precepts in Uposatha days.
You can start practicing this to the level of your ability and increase the intensity as you go.

[Bundokji]

"Bhikkhus, these two extremes ought not to be cultivated by one gone forth from the house-life. What are the two? There is devotion to indulgence of pleasure in the objects of sensual desire, which is inferior, low, vulgar, ignoble, and leads to no good; and there is devotion to self-torment, which is painful, ignoble and leads to no good.

Dhamma-cakka-ppavattana-sutta

[Inedible]

It is normal for the mind to be pulled in many directions at the same time. It is easier to see this happening when you are trying to meditate. The purpose of asceticism is to try to reduce the tendencies of the mind to keep jumping from distraction to distraction. It is why you keep hearing about training in mindfulness and being present in the moment. This is responding to symptoms and it is important work, but good asceticism helps by going to the causes.

[Coëmgenu]

The holy life, asceticism, is the heart of the Buddhadhamma, but not everyone is in suitable circumstances in their life to become an ascetic. Donate is what you can do as someone who "just started Buddhism." So many don't.

[coconut]

Hello all,

i wanted to ask how important asceticism in Buddhism is. Especially for people who just „started buddhism“ i.e. to what extent should they begin to absent from unpleasant things and from what things foremost.

Thank you in advance!

It's important in the middle of the path. For beginners, their focus should be theoretical understanding (sutta study, right view) and the virtue training (5 precepts).

[not myself today]

For a beginner, one could start with avoiding intoxicants; alcohol, drugs, cigarettes and see how that effects the mind and alertness, mindfulness. Later one could try further forms of renunciation, for example trying not to eat beyond noon or alternatively trying not to eat too much, not too many "comfort" foods, sweets, etc.

This, as they say online these days.

[Alino]