I wonder, in everyday life, when I feel really cold outside and I want to rush indoors for warmth, how these ascetics deal with it. I understand coldness is a part of reality and must ideally be experienced when it presents itself with a calm mind. I'm curious how ascetics, like the Buddha and his followers, manage this since they lived in the forests for extended periods without heating or modern amenities. How is it possible for them not to get sick or die from diseases and cold? More importantly, in the early stages of renunciation, how do they resist the urge to return to civilization? Sorry, if its a silly question, But I have wondered about it every day these months, without finding an answer yet. Thanks

I am recently observing the effects of "asceticism" or in my case, simply reducing food/taste related pleasures. I know the Middle Way in Buddhism advocates avoiding the both the extremes of asceticism and indulgence in sense pleasures. However, I find that in contemporary Western society, there is a significant lean towards sense pleasures and material comforts. Given the prevalence of indulgence in things like food, luxury, entertainment, and other sensual pleasures, I’m curious about the role of asceticism for lay practitioners today. 1. How should lay practitioners approach ascetic practices in the context of modern Western society? 2. Is there a recommended balance between asceticism and engaging with the comforts of modern life? 3. What specific ascetic practices can be beneficial for lay practitioners to help reduce attachment to sensual pleasures and support their spiritual growth? Any answers/opinions are appreciated. Thanks!

Are there Sanghas(in the more broad meaning of the word) of those who practice like monks but aren't officially monks and have not been ordained as monks by monks? If they could call themselves "Bunks" or something besides "monks", would this be problematic? Are there any scriptures related to this?

Subject sounds simple, but let me explain why I'm asking. So Gautama joined the ascetic lifestyle and lived it to the most extreme. Then it dawned on him that he would eventually die never finding out the cause/solution to suffering. Accounts I've seen then vary: He then got up and went begging in a village, other accounts say a farm boy with cattle found him and offered him food, and then there's that story of Sujata with the rice milk which Siddhartha accepted. Going a little further on the last account, he divided the rice milk into 49 potions for the next 49 days, after which he got up and went to the Bodhi Tree where he attained enlightenment. Usually the different stories I read have one or a mix of these events. Now here's where I'm confused. By this point, the Future Buddha had tried extreme mortification, realized that wasn't working, returned to eating to sustain his life, went under the Bodhi Tree, then makes the vow to not leave again until he finds the answer, EVEN til his body is dried and shriveled. How does the Middle Way operate in this part of the story? Isn't he just returning to that previous practice he renounced? What am I missing here? I suppose my analysis of Buddha's life is probably disorganized, but there are certain events and the order in which I find them that I cannot reconcile and make sense in my mind. If anyone can better explain to me this, that would be most appreciated. PS I've asked this elsewhere, and am getting some help, I'm just expanding the search.

Do ascetic practices create saṃvega? If so, how? (I am trying to find ways to create samvega - and I understand ascetic practices can help in that).