What were the practices of the five ascetics before they met the Buddha?

A discussion on all aspects of Theravāda Buddhism
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SarathW
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Joined: Mon Sep 10, 2012 2:49 am

What were the practices of the five ascetics before they met the Buddha?

Post by SarathW »

What were the practices of the five ascetics before they met the Buddha?

It appears they were the worshiper of trees, mountains, fire, etc.
This is interesting as modern-day Buddhists also have similar rituals.
Bodi tree, Stupa and ligting candles etc.
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
Ontheway
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Joined: Wed Aug 11, 2021 3:35 pm

Re: What were the practices of the five ascetics before they met the Buddha?

Post by Ontheway »

I think Kondanna was a Brahmin (so are the rest, but I'm not sure with Bhaddiya). And Brahmins are reciters of Vedas, worshippers of Brahman.

They don't worship trees. They worship fire🔥
Hiriottappasampannā,
sukkadhammasamāhitā;
Santo sappurisā loke,
devadhammāti vuccare.

https://suttacentral.net/ja6/en/chalmer ... ight=false
samsarayoga
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Joined: Sun Nov 20, 2022 6:25 pm

Re: What were the practices of the five ascetics before they met the Buddha?

Post by samsarayoga »

Hindus? Jains? I'd call it animism. They're worshiping nature in this case. Mesmerized by natural phenomenons in their surroundings. Like sun, moon, ocean, mountain, apex predators, big animals, weather phenomenons, etc.
reality is not shaped by your mind, if this was the case there won't exist right view and wrong view to begin with (doh)
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