The Ascetic Path Begins

At the time, there was a strong belief among some people that one can attain liberation only by leading a life of strict asceticism. “I will carry austerity to the uttermost,” thought Siddhartha. “This is the way to acquire wisdom.” He practiced fasting, which was thought to be one of the best ways to acquire wisdom. He lived on a grain of rice a day, and later, nothing at all. His body became so thin and in fact started looking like a living skeleton. He suffered terrible pain and hunger, yet continued to meditate. He stayed and practiced by the Nairanjana River for six long years. In spite of the great pain and suffering he undertook, he did not find wisdom or the answers to his questions. He finally decided, “These austerities are not the way to enlightenment.”