As the night gradually came, we packed up our stuff and continued our walking journey across long mountain ranges, straight rows of trees, and young green paddy fields. Here and there, there were oinks from the pigs close to the crumbling, dilapidated thatched huts, the sound of children playing together. They also admired the group of monks while seeing them passing by. We passed by a clear blue lake known as the Forest of Ascetics, where the Bodhisatta practiced self-mortification for six years. Before the practice, he had learned meditation from two then-prominent meditation teachers. He attained the highest levels of meditation but did not see the path to enlightenment as he had desired.

Subsequently, he came here to practice self-mortification (Dukkara kiriyā) with five other people, one of whom was Koṇḍañña. The Bodhisatta diligently followed this painful practice. It included the method of holding the breath – breathing in through the mouth and the nose, breathing out through the ears; then continuing to hold the breath – breathing in through the mouth and the nose and not letting the air out through the ears; the air running up to his head caused a severe pain; the air running down to his stomach caused an intense pain; the air heated his whole body so terribly that he fainted.

Over the years, he practiced all the methods of the most painful practice that no one else could do. He ate a handful of cooked rice everyday and gradually reduced his meal to just a pea. He thus became skin and bones, even to the extent that he could feel his backbone when he touched his abdomen. Previously, the Bodhisatta’s precious body was full of 32 major physical characteristics and 80 minor physical characteristics with bright golden skin; however, all these characteristics disappeared, and his skin became dark black.

Any of us who has experienced hunger and thirst will understand the feeling of a rumbling stomach, shortness of breath, and being exhausted without energy. If anyone pilgrimages to this place, climbing up the hill to the cave where the Bodhisatta lived, they would know the feeling of being short of breath, tired, having muscle spasms, and even having to sit on a bamboo palanquin for people to carry. We have suffered so much in such a short time; what about His six years of experiencing all these challenges?

The Sangha paid homage, chanted, contemplated, and stayed overnight together at this place. When we were just about to take a break, it started raining. The group quickly covered our tents with canvas; fortunately, it was only a light rain. Otherwise, we might have gotten wet because of the rainwater pouring from the mountain.

Source: Dhammacetiya
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