What does asceticism mean?

Definitions for asceticism
as·ceti·cism

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word asceticism.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. asceticismnoun

    the doctrine that through renunciation of worldly pleasures it is possible to achieve a high spiritual or intellectual state

  2. austerity, asceticism, nonindulgencenoun

    the trait of great self-denial (especially refraining from worldly pleasures)

  3. asceticism, ascesisnoun

    rigorous self-denial and active self-restraint

Wiktionary

  1. asceticismnoun

    The principles and practices of an ascetic; extreme self-denial and austerity.

Wikipedia

  1. Asceticism

    Asceticism (; from the Greek: ἄσκησις, romanized: áskesis, lit. 'exercise', 'training') is a lifestyle characterized by abstinence from sensual pleasures, often for the purpose of pursuing spiritual goals. Ascetics may withdraw from the world for their practices or continue to be part of their society, but typically adopt a frugal lifestyle, characterised by the renunciation of material possessions and physical pleasures, and also spend time fasting while concentrating on the practice of religion or reflection upon spiritual matters. Various individuals have also attempted an ascetic lifestyle to free themselves from addictions, some of them particular to modern life, such as money, alcohol, tobacco, drugs, entertainment, sex, food, etc.Asceticism has been historically observed in many religious and philosophic traditions, including Buddhism, Jainism, Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Stoicism and Pythagoreanism and contemporary practices continue amongst some religious followers.Practitioners abandon sensual pleasures and lead an abstinent lifestyle, in the pursuit of redemption, salvation, or spirituality. Many ascetics believe the action of purifying the body helps to purify the soul, and thus obtain a greater connection with the Divine or find inner peace. This may take the form of rituals, the renunciation of pleasure, or self-mortification. However, ascetics maintain that self-imposed constraints bring them greater freedom in various areas of their lives, such as increased clarity of thought and the ability to resist potentially destructive temptations. Asceticism is seen in the ancient theologies as a journey towards spiritual transformation, where the simple is sufficient, the bliss is within, the frugal is plenty. Inversely, several ancient religious traditions, such as Zoroastrianism, Ancient Egyptian religion, and the Dionysian Mysteries, vamachara, and the modern Western occult left-hand path traditions, openly reject ascetic practices and either focus on various types of hedonism or on the importance of family life, both rejecting celibacy.

ChatGPT

  1. asceticism

    Asceticism is a lifestyle that is characterized by severe self-discipline, abstinence from all forms of indulgence, and minimalistic living, usually for spiritual or religious reasons. It often involves a conscious relinquishment of physical pleasures and material possessions.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Asceticismnoun

    the condition, practice, or mode of life, of ascetics

Wikidata

  1. Asceticism

    Asceticism describes a lifestyle characterized by abstinence from various worldly pleasures, often with the aim of pursuing religious and spiritual goals. Many religious traditions include practices that involve restraint with respect to actions of body, speech, and mind like that of the Pythagoreans. The founders and earliest practitioners of these religions lived extremely austere lifestyles, refraining from sensual pleasures and the accumulation of material wealth. They practiced asceticism not as a rejection of the enjoyment of life, or because the practices themselves are virtuous, but as an aid in the pursuit of physical and metaphysical health.

Usage in printed sourcesFrom: 

How to pronounce asceticism?

How to say asceticism in sign language?

Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of asceticism in Chaldean Numerology is: 1

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of asceticism in Pythagorean Numerology is: 2

Popularity rank by frequency of use

asceticism#10000#97514#100000

Translations for asceticism

From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary

Get even more translations for asceticism »

Translation

Find a translation for the asceticism definition in other languages:

Select another language:

  • - Select -
  • 简体中文 (Chinese - Simplified)
  • 繁體中文 (Chinese - Traditional)
  • Español (Spanish)
  • Esperanto (Esperanto)
  • 日本語 (Japanese)
  • Português (Portuguese)
  • Deutsch (German)
  • العربية (Arabic)
  • Français (French)
  • Русский (Russian)
  • ಕನ್ನಡ (Kannada)
  • 한국어 (Korean)
  • עברית (Hebrew)
  • Gaeilge (Irish)
  • Українська (Ukrainian)
  • اردو (Urdu)
  • Magyar (Hungarian)
  • मानक हिन्दी (Hindi)
  • Indonesia (Indonesian)
  • Italiano (Italian)
  • தமிழ் (Tamil)
  • Türkçe (Turkish)
  • తెలుగు (Telugu)
  • ภาษาไทย (Thai)
  • Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
  • Čeština (Czech)
  • Polski (Polish)
  • Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian)
  • Românește (Romanian)
  • Nederlands (Dutch)
  • Ελληνικά (Greek)
  • Latinum (Latin)
  • Svenska (Swedish)
  • Dansk (Danish)
  • Suomi (Finnish)
  • فارسی (Persian)
  • ייִדיש (Yiddish)
  • հայերեն (Armenian)
  • Norsk (Norwegian)
  • English (English)

Word of the Day

Would you like us to send you a FREE new word definition delivered to your inbox daily?

Please enter your email address:


Citation

Use the citation below to add this definition to your bibliography:

Style:MLAChicagoAPA

"asceticism." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 26 Dec. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/asceticism>.

Discuss these asceticism definitions with the community:

0 Comments

    Are we missing a good definition for asceticism? Don't keep it to yourself...

    Image or illustration of

    asceticism

    Credit »

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant definitions for any word that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant definitions for any word that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Quiz

    Are you a words master?

    »
    a custom among some peoples whereby the husband of a pregnant wife is put to bed at the time of bearing the child
    A volubility
    B couvade
    C taper
    D sousing

    Nearby & related entries:

    Alternative searches for asceticism: