WE are going to discuss here the practical implications of ‘sanyasa’ or renunciation for those who want to practice spirituality. It is not easy to live as an ascetic person. Our law books put a number of restrictions on people who take up sanyasa as way of life. For example, Gautama Buddha, one of the proponents of the Hindu code of conduct, proposed that an ascetic should not keep any possessions, must be a celibate, should not change his residence during the rainy season or enter any village except for begging.
Other proponents of Hindu ethical laws concur. They declare that those who take to renunciation should not entertain any desire, including the desire for tasty food, nor should they wear any clothes except a small rag to cover their nakedness. Accordingly, in ancient India, those who became monks led a very harsh and restrained life. They subsisted on roots and fruits as they took vows not to cook food using fire or eat parts of any living plant or tree. In the final phases, they gave up food and water and slowly allowed their bodies to weaken and perish as a mark of ultimate sacrifice. However, most people would not be ready for the austere and rigorous life of renunciation.
This story is from the June 2020 edition of Dignity Dialogue.
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This story is from the June 2020 edition of Dignity Dialogue.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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