Generally speaking, asceticism generally refers to self-suffering as a means and liberation as the purpose. There is nothing wrong with this concept in principle, but from the starting point, there are great differences: some are blind and some are ideal. Blind self-suffering, often refers to blind repair and blind refining, squeezing oil into the sand, which has neither theoretical basis nor certain purpose. There is a difference between ideal and self-suffering: one is superstition and the other is rationality. Superstitious self-suffering means thinking that you can live after death by eating grass with cows, eating shit with dogs and soaking in water with fish. There are two kinds of rational self-suffering: one is to seek self-liberation by reasonable practice methods; One is to help others (sentient beings) free themselves with their body and mind.
Except rational self-suffering, the rest are heretical asceticism.
Some people close to you think that Buddhism does not advocate asceticism, and that Buddhism is a moderate practitioner who advocates bitterness and joy. Of course, the Buddha did not become a Buddha until he gave up his asceticism for six years and nursed his weak body back to health ("Add Agama. Add item 8 "). However, we must understand that the Buddha gave up blind or superstitious asceticism and emphasized rational asceticism. Seeking self-liberation is Mahayana's asceticism, and helping others (all beings) to liberate is Mahayana's asceticism. Therefore, in the eighth volume of Long Agama, there is such a narrative:
The Buddha said to Nirvana Brahma, "Everything you do is humble: leave naked, cover with your hands ... or eat cow dung, deer dung, roots, branches and fruits ... or raise your hand often, or don't sit on the bed, or often squat ... or lie on thorns ... or lie naked on cow dung, or take three baths a day and three nights." The Buddha is extremely opposed to such asceticism, because it is meaningless except for asking. It is impossible to cultivate a person's morality and mind, let alone practice and benefit others.
The Buddha then told the Buddhist asceticism to Nigada Fanzhi: "People who do asceticism do not consider themselves: I do this; When you have to support yourself, you should be respectful and polite ... If you have to support yourself, you won't be greedy. If you know how to stay away, you will know the important methods. ... smelling his justice, I am glad to seal it ... I don't claim to be famous, I don't slander others ... I don't kill, steal, be slutty, say nothing, do no evil, don't talk nonsense, don't be greedy, don't be jealous, don't Jaken ... I don't forget to practice hard, meditate well and practice more wisdom ... I don't want to be proud of Gao Gong ... 」
We have read this passage of Buddhist asceticism, which makes us feel infinitely cordial. Its content is nothing more than abstinence, meditation and liberation of wisdom, but it is also a way of life in the world. But it is still a rational way to seek liberation. In the Mahayana Sutra, we are encouraged to give more, which is unbearable and difficult to do. We can sacrifice everything to help all beings, and we must also swear to help all beings forever and sacrifice ourselves, even to achieve "the three thousand world is not a dust, not a place where bodhisattvas lay down their lives." Can a bodhisattva like this be said not to be an ascetic? Therefore, all Buddhists who believe in Buddhism must check their body and mind, work hard and encourage themselves, be kind to others, and be thinner than self-confession; Only by reducing the materialistic life can we improve the spiritual field, diligently practice Taoism, strive to develop our career and contribute to public welfare-make a big wish, be a volunteer for all mankind, be an uninvited friend of all sentient beings, and even sacrifice ourselves to help others. This is Buddhist asceticism. If someone doesn't eat fireworks, but doesn't care about people's lives, but flaunts it as unusual, it is not Buddhist asceticism, but heretical asceticism. (turning)
Buddhism has asceticism, which is easy to realize. The reason is that the attachment to body, feelings and self-image was quickly broken.
But the Buddha did not advocate asceticism. It is also not conducive to the practice of most people.