Asceticism may be defined as depriving the body as a sacrifice for the sake of the mind or the spirit

by | Jan 17, 2025 | Essays

Asceticism may be defined as depriving the body as a sacrifice for the sake of the mind or the spirit. In other words, it could mean abstaining from food (fasting), water, sleep, or even sex and other indulgences in order to find peace or show dedication to your faith. We find examples of asceticism across religions around the world, from fasting to prayer to sacrifice. For your essay this week, read the introductory article on asceticism and the articles on religion to find examples of asceticism (depriving oneself) in at least two regions of the ancient world—one Eastern, one Western—in order to compare their roles in the development of historical civilizations. Consider these two questions: What practical, non-religious purpose do these behaviors serve in their historical communities? Do you see distinct changes around the world, or are they essentially the same practice wherever they are found? You may conduct some additional research to find unique examples to add to your paper.

 

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Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell. 

In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.


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God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.

Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.

To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.

 

References

Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.

Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.

Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.

Asceticism, the practice of self-denial and bodily discipline, has played a significant role in various religious and philosophical traditions throughout history. While rooted in spiritual pursuits, ascetic practices often served practical, non-religious purposes within their respective societies.  

Eastern Example: Ancient India

In ancient India, asceticism was a prominent feature in various religious and philosophical movements, most notably in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.  

  • Practical Purposes:
    • Social Control: Asceticism, particularly among mendicant monks, served as a form of social control. By renouncing worldly possessions and embracing poverty, ascetics challenged social hierarchies and offered a critique of consumerism and materialism.

Asceticism, the practice of self-denial and bodily discipline, has played a significant role in various religious and philosophical traditions throughout history. While rooted in spiritual pursuits, ascetic practices often served practical, non-religious purposes within their respective societies.  

Eastern Example: Ancient India

In ancient India, asceticism was a prominent feature in various religious and philosophical movements, most notably in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.  

  • Practical Purposes:
    • Social Control: Asceticism, particularly among mendicant monks, served as a form of social control. By renouncing worldly possessions and embracing poverty, ascetics challenged social hierarchies and offered a critique of consumerism and materialism.
    • Spiritual Authority: Ascetic practices, such as prolonged fasting and meditation, were believed to enhance spiritual awareness and enlightenment. This spiritual authority granted ascetics a respected position within their communities, often acting as spiritual guides and advisors.  
    • Resource Management: In times of scarcity, ascetic practices like fasting could help conserve resources, ensuring the survival of the community.

Western Example: Ancient Greece

In ancient Greece, asceticism was practiced by various philosophical schools, such as Stoicism and Cynicism.  

  • Practical Purposes:
    • Self-Discipline and Mastery: Ascetic practices, such as physical endurance and self-denial, were seen as essential for developing self-discipline, mastering one’s emotions, and achieving inner peace. These qualities were highly valued in Greek society, particularly among warriors and statesmen.  
    • Social Critique: Cynicism, a prominent philosophical school, advocated for a simple life free from material possessions and social conventions. This critique of societal norms and values served as a social commentary and a call for a more just and equitable society.  

Distinct Changes or Universal Practice?

While the specific manifestations of asceticism varied across cultures, some common themes emerge:

  • Self-Discipline and Self-Control: Regardless of the specific practices, asceticism always involved a degree of self-discipline and self-control. By denying themselves certain pleasures, individuals sought to master their desires and cultivate inner strength.  
  • Spiritual Seeking: Ascetic practices were often intertwined with spiritual pursuits, whether it was achieving enlightenment, attaining salvation, or connecting with the divine.  
  • Social Commentary: Asceticism often served as a form of social critique, challenging societal norms and values.  

However, there were also distinct regional variations:

  • Emphasis on Renunciation: In Eastern traditions like Buddhism and Jainism, the emphasis was often on renunciation of worldly desires and attachments.  
  • Emphasis on Stoicism and Virtue: In Western traditions like Stoicism, the focus was on cultivating inner strength and virtue through self-discipline and acceptance of fate.  

Conclusion

In conclusion, while asceticism may appear to be a purely religious practice, it served important social and cultural functions in ancient civilizations. By examining examples from both Eastern and Western traditions, we can see that while the specific practices varied, the underlying principles of self-discipline, spiritual seeking, and social commentary remained remarkably consistent.

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