ASCETICISM
The word asceticism has its roots in the Grecian word askesis, which means training/exercise of the body and the mind.
In religious terminology, it means severe self-denial and abstain from worldly comforts and pleasures. In other words, it means life of abstinence and austerity. In the Hindu culture, it means renouncing the world and living the life of non-attachment. It includes primitive dress (even nudity); cave dwelling, practicing silence, meditation, celibacy, vegetarianism; infliction of pain upon oneself, owning no wealth and depending solely upon begging and alms, suppression of desires and passions, fasts, ablution, pilgrimage etc.
In Buddhism, and Jainism too, asceticism is an established institution.
Sikhism rejects asceticism. Sikhism is Parvirti Maarag (way of active life; i.e. living life as a householder). Sikhism commends the life of householder i.e. disciplined worldliness. According to Sikhism, the suppression of desires and self-torture do not control mind as mind can be disciplined only by purging one’s ego, by Naam Simran (remembering God all the time) and by truthful living.
Also see: Renunciation, Sanyaas.
(Dr Harjinder Singh Dilgeer)