Adzel, convert to Buddhism:
"'Austerities are valuable.'" (p. 188)
He is talking about making the best use of unavoidable discomforts. However, it should not be suggested that discomforts are to be sought after. Gautama practiced extreme austerities and found that they developed his will power but not his understanding. To restore his physical health and strength, he accepted an offering of food, to the disgust of a small group of ascetics that had admired him. ("He's gone soft.") They left but he sat in quiet meditation and realized his enlightenment, becoming "Awakened/Buddha." His Dharma is a Middle Way between asceticism and hedonism. But I am sure that Adzel understands this.
See also Adzel's Lecture.
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
And I'm reminded of how some Christian saints, like St. Francis, who also valued austerities and asceticism. In fact, to such an extent that Pope Honorius II modified the original version of the Rule of the Franciscans, making it less austere, before giving his assent to the founding of that order.
Ad astra! Sean
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