Asceticism, Enlightenment & The Middle Way
Religious Studies: KS3, topic 2.3.4
Asceticism, Enlightenment & The Middle Way
When he left the palace, Siddhartha chose an ascetic life. He had few possessions, slept in basic shelters, and ate simple food. But this simple existence did not develop spiritual understanding.
Simple life
- Siddhartha decided he must leave the palace to live a more spiritual life.
- He wanted to try to discover a way to prevent suffering.
- For six years he lived a life with no possessions and he surrounded himself with holy men who gave him advice.
- To try and answer his questions about suffering, he fasted and endured pain. But he was disappointed, and no answers came to him.
A new approach
- Siddhartha then tried a new approach by focusing his mind on big questions.
- He sat alone under a Bodhi tree and meditated for several days.
- Siddartha reflected on his early life and his experiences.
- He tried to purify his mind so that there were no distracting thoughts or temptations.
Enlightenment
- Finally, the answers he sought about suffering and existence began to come to him.
- We call this moment his enlightenment. The point when he suddenly saw the truth and understood.
- From that point onward, Siddhartha became known as the Buddha – the enlightened one.
The Middle Way
- One very important thing that the Buddha learned was the Middle Way.
- This means that it is best to avoid extremes.
- One example is that people should not live lives that are too comfortable, such as the one he led in the palace.
- But there is also no value in giving up basic comforts, as he did for a time with the holy men.
Lessons from the Middle Way
- Life lived between these two extremes is more likely to create inner peace.
- The Buddha taught that it is best to avoid being fixed in our ways.
- It is better to remain open minded, and willing to see things from different points of view.
Test yourself on Asceticism, Enlightenment & The Middle Way
What is a lesson from The Middle Way?