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This image depicts Buddha during his ascetic period. He deprived himself of food and pleasure, subsisting on a single grain of rice per day. This form of self-mortification was practised by the gurus who he studied with, as it was believed that punishing one's body could bring a heightened state of consciousness. In this state, Buddha became partially mummified and was brought close to death. Some disciples still believe that they can achieve the status of 'Buddha' by mummifying themselves.
Siddhartha learned, through failure, that extreme deprivation is not holy, and does not bring enlightenment. His philosophy is known as the 'The Middle Way', which avoids taking extreme measures and achieving an equilibrium with one's environment.