Siddhartha spent several years fasting and practicing what?

Answer 1

Siddhartha spent several years fasting and practicing asceticism, which is a severe self-discipline that avoids all type of human indulgences. However, he later rejected this type harsh type of asceticism because it impeded the ultimate path to nirvana. He modified this to a practice that while not descending into the self denial of asceticism, did not cross over into luxury and indulgence either.

Answer 2

Siddhartha spent several years fasting and practicing deep meditation as a form of asceticism. He believed that by renouncing the pleasures of the body, he could achieve spiritual enlightenment. However, Siddhartha eventually realized that extreme asceticism was not the path to enlightenment and shifted to a middle way, which balanced self-discipline with self-care.