ascetic: A person who leads a life of contemplation and rigorous self-denial, shunning comforts and pleasures for religious purposes. See: monk, nunk, asceticism.

(See also: Ascetic, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

ascetic: A person who leads a life of contemplation and rigorous self-denial, shunning comforts and pleasures for religious purposes. See: monk, nunk, asceticism.

(See also: Ascetic, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

Ascetic: One who practices self humbling, self mortification, and self humiliation in order to gain spiritual benefit. There are thirteen practices that monks are supposed to perform as an ascetic. These are: 1) wearing robes made from discarded materials, 2) wearing no more than three robes, 3) begging for food, 4) not discriminating as to where to go for food, 5) only eating one meal a day, 6) eating from only the alms bowl, 7) refusing any more food than can fit in the alms bowl, 8) living in the forest, 9) at the foot of a tree, 10) under the open sky, 11) in a graveyard, 12) being satisfied with one's home, and 13) sleeping in the sitting position. Buddha denounced ascetic practices, though these have been practiced by Buddhist monks.

 (See also: Ascetic, Buddhism, Body Mind and Soul)

Ascetical theology is the organized study or presentation of spiritual teachings found in Scripture and the Church Fathers that help the faithful to more perfectly follow Christ and attain to Christian perfection. The word ascetic is from the Greek word askesis, meaning practice. The English term ascesis means "the practice of self-discipline" (OED). Christian asceticism is commonly thought to imply self-denial for a spiritual purpose. The term ascetical theology is used primarily in Catholic ...

Including:

• Ascetical theology - Who is Christ and what reason is given for following
• Ascetical theology - Essential concepts in ascetical theology
• Ascetical theology - Other religious traditions
• Ascetical theology - Eastern Orthodox
• Ascetical theology - Protestant
• Ascetical theology - Islam

Read more here: » Ascetical theology: Encyclopedia - Ascetical theology

Udasis: Guru Nanaks order of ascetics are called Udasis. They correspond to Sannyasins and Vairagis. They are indifferent to the sensual pleasures of this world (Udasina). Hence they are called Udasis.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Udasis: Hindu Sects and Cults - Udasis

Kama

Kama in a wider sense means desire and in a narrow sense, sexual desire. Hinduism prescribes fulfillment of sexual passions for the householders and abstinence from it for the students and ascetics who are engaged in the study of the scriptures and in the pursuit of Brahman. 

Read more here: » Kama: Hinduism Kama

Saiva Siddhanta is the oldest, most vigorous and extensively practiced Shaivaite Hindu school active today, encompassing millions of devotees, thousands of active temples and dozens of living monastic/ascetic traditions. Despite its popularity, Siddhanta’s past as an all-India denomination is relatively unknown and it is primarily identified with its South Indian, Tamil form. The term Saiva Siddhanta means “the final or established conclusions of Saivism.” It is the formalized theology of the divine revelations contained in the ...

Including:

• Saiva Siddhanta - Gurus
• Saiva Siddhanta - Saints and Ascetics
• Saiva Siddhanta - Siddhas
• Saiva Siddhanta - Saiva Siddhanta Teachings
• Saiva Siddhanta - The Spread of Saiva Siddhanta
• Saiva Siddhanta - A New Siddhanta
• Saiva Siddhanta - A Dualistic Development
• Saiva Siddhanta - Saiva Siddhanta Today

Read more here: » Saiva Siddhanta: Encyclopedia - Saiva Siddhanta

The Vilna Gaon (April 23, 1720 – October 9, 1797) was a prominent Jewish rabbi, Talmud scholar, and Kabbalist. His real name was Elijah (Eliyahu) ben Shlomo Zalman Kremer (or Kramer), but he is commonly referred to in Hebrew as ha'Gaon ha'Chasid mi'Vilna, meaning "the saintly genius from Vilna", or in similar forms (Gaon of Vilna, Gaon mi Vilno, or Vilna Gaon), and as the Gra (a Hebrew acronym of "Gaon Rabbi Eliyahu"). Vilna Gaon - Youth and education. ...

Including:

• Vilna Gaon - Youth and education
• Vilna Gaon - Methods of study
• Vilna Gaon - Antagonism to Hasidism
• Vilna Gaon - Other work
• Vilna Gaon - Ascetism
• Vilna Gaon - Works
• Vilna Gaon - Influence

Read more here: » Vilna Gaon: Encyclopedia - Vilna Gaon

The word Dervish, especially in European languages, refers to members of Sufi Muslim ascetic religious fraternities, known for their extreme poverty and austerity, similar to mendicant friars. The term comes from the Persian word Darvish (درویش), which usually refers to a mendicant ascetic. This latter word is also used to refer to an unflappable or ascetic temperament (as in the Urdu phrase darwaishana thabiyath for an ascetic temperament); that is, for an attitude that is ind ...

Including:

• Dervish - Religious practice
• Dervish - Historical and political use

Read more here: » Dervish: Encyclopedia - Dervish

Yamabushi (山伏, Yamabushi?) were Japanese mountain ascetics and warriors, mostly of the Shingon sect of Buddh ...

Including:

• Yamabushi - History
• Yamabushi - Weapons Style and Training
• Yamabushi - Yamabushi in Fiction

Read more here: » Yamabushi: Encyclopedia - Yamabushi

Asceticism denotes a life which is characterized by refraining from worldly pleasures (austerity). Those who practice ascetic lifestyles often perceive their practices as virtuous and pursue them to achieve greater spirituality. Many ascetics believe the action of purifying the body helps to purify the soul, and thus obtain a greater connection with the Divine. In a more cynical context, ascetic may connote some form of self-mortification, ritual punishment of the body or harsh renunciation of pleasure. However the word certain ...

Including:

• Asceticism - Etymology
• Asceticism - Worldly vs Otherworldly
• Asceticism - Religious vs Secular motivation
• Asceticism - Religious Motivation
• Asceticism - Secular Motivation

Read more here: » Asceticism: Encyclopedia - Asceticism

Dom David Augustine Baker (1575-1641), was a Welsh Benedictine monk and ascetical writer, author of many treatises on contemplative prayer. Augustine Baker - Writings. Sancta Sophia (Holy Wisdom, 1657) compiled and edited by Serenus Cressy. ...

Including:

• Augustine Baker - Writings

Read more here: » Augustine Baker: Encyclopedia - Augustine Baker

The Hindi word Gossain or Gosain (from Sanskrit Goswami, 'lord of cows') may refer to: The name of a certain class of Shaivite ascetics. The name of a sub-community of Brahmins , the descendants of Chaitanya. A title given to leaders of the Vallabhas. An honorary title prefixed to personal names (e.g. Gosain Tulsidas). Gossain - Reference. H. P. Blavatsky, 1892. The Theosophical Glossary. London: The Theosophical Publi ...

Including:

• Gossain - Reference

Read more here: » Gossain: Encyclopedia - Gossain

Śāriputra (Pāli: Sāriputta; Chinese: 舍利弗 Sheli Fu) was one of two principal disciples of the Buddha. He became an Arhat renowned for his wisdom and is depicted in the Theravada tradition as one of the most important disciples of the Buddha. Śāriputra came from a brahmin family and had already embarked on life as a spiritual ascetic when he encountered the teachings of the Buddha. Śāriputra had a close friend Mahamaudgalyayana, another wandering ascetic. They both renounced the world on the same day and became disciples of the sceptic Sañj ...

Read more here: » Sariputra: Encyclopedia - Sariputra

Ajivika is an anti-Brahminical philosophy, which literally translates to "following an ascetic way of life". The Ajivikas were contemporaries of the early Buddhists and historical Jains; the Ajivika movement may have preceeded both of these groups, but may have been a more loosely organized group of wandering ascetics. Very little concrete information is known about the Ajivikas. Their scriptures and history were not preserved directly- instead, fragments of Ajivika doctrine were preserved in Buddhist and Jain sources, and they are me ...

Read more here: » Ajivika: Encyclopedia - Ajivika

Phronema is a Greek term that is used in Eastern Orthodox theology to refer to mindset or outlook; it is the Orthodox mind. [1] The attaining of phronema is a matter of practicing the correct faith (orthodoxia) in the correct manner (orthopraxia). Attaining phronema is regarded as the first step toward theosis, the state of glorification. [2] Phronema - Therapeutic method of Orthodoxy. These terms are part of what is called the "therapeutic meth ...

Including:

• Phronema - Therapeutic method of Orthodoxy
• Phronema - Phronema in the western Church
• Phronema - Footnotes and references

Read more here: » Phronema: Encyclopedia - Phronema

Ascetic, Asceticism Originally exercise, practice, applied to monastic discipline and self-mortification, very much as was the Sanskrit tapas. But the true ascetic is not one who mortifies his passions, abuses his body, or suppresses his instincts, but one whose earthly desires have been consumed or transformed in the fire of devotion and knowledge. It is used in The Secret Doctrine with special reference to Siva, the "Great Ascetic," and to kumaras who have maintained their purity by refusing to create.

(See also: Ascetic, Asceticism, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

Ascetics, Asceticism

(Greek = exercise training) The science of self knowledge through discipline of mind and body

(See also: Ascetics and Asceticism, New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

Elijah led an ascetic life. He interpreted literally the words of the ancient rabbis, that the Torah can be acquired only by abandoning all pleasures and by cheerfully accepting suffering; and as he lived up to this principle, he was revered by his countrymen as a saint, being called by some of his contemporaries "the Hasid". Elijah once started on a trip to the Land of Israel, but did not get beyond Germany (although in the very early nineteenth century, waves of his students did manage the trip, settling mostly in the city of Tzfat. While at Königsberg he wrote to his family a letter which was published under the tit ...

See also:

Vilna Gaon, Vilna Gaon - Youth and education, Vilna Gaon - Methods of study, Vilna Gaon - Antagonism to Hasidism, Vilna Gaon - Other work, Vilna Gaon - Ascetism, Vilna Gaon - Works, Vilna Gaon - Influence

Read more here: » Vilna Gaon: Encyclopedia II - Vilna Gaon - Ascetism

There are different modes of seclusion from the world. Some, in order to lead a life devoted to the higher world, flee this world altogether, and live as hermits, contrary to the design of the Creator. Others retire from the world's turmoil and live a secluded life in their own homes. A third class, which comes nearest to the precepts of Jewish law, participates in the world's struggles and pursuits, but leads a life of abstinence and moderation, reg ...

See also:

Hovot ha-Levavot, Hovot ha-Levavot - Unity of God, Hovot ha-Levavot - Attributes of God All Negative, Hovot ha-Levavot - His Natural Philosophy, Hovot ha-Levavot - Worship of God, Hovot ha-Levavot - Pedagogical Value of Jewish law, Hovot ha-Levavot - Divine Providence, Hovot ha-Levavot - Immortality of the Soul, Hovot ha-Levavot - Hypocrisy and Skepticism, Hovot ha-Levavot - Humility, Hovot ha-Levavot - Repentance, Hovot ha-Levavot - Seeing God, Hovot ha-Levavot - An Ascetic Life, Hovot ha-Levavot - Love of God

Read more here: » Hovot ha-Levavot: Encyclopedia II - Hovot ha-Levavot - An Ascetic Life