In Buddhism

General definition (in Buddhism)

Source: Dhamma Dana: The 13 Ascetic Practices of Buddhist Monks

or the practice of dhutaygas, there do exist several kinds of motivations. A few can adopt one of them out of a bad purpose, in the aim of stirring up admiration around themselves, whereas others adopt one of these practices out of a genuine purpose, in order to cure themselves from kilesas, with the same state of mind into which one takes a medicine. Here are the five kinds of motivation that we can distinguish among those who adopt one or more dhutaygas:

1. Out of complete ignorance, without even knowing their advantages: after having merely heard the practitioners of the dhutaygas are of good renown, for being able to say " me, I practice the dhutaygas", etc.
2. For benefitting with the advantages feeding up greed, such as: for receiving a lot of gifts, for being well considered by others, for causing a great veneration to arise from others, for attracting disciples to oneself, etc.
3. Out of madness, out of complete ignorance, without being in quest for anything whatsoever.
4. Because Buddha and ariyas praise such practices.
5. For benefitting with healthy advantages, such as: the capacity to be contented with very little, weakness inherent to greed, easiness to obtain what is needed, tranquillity, detachment, etc.

Buddha disapproved the first three motivations, he only approved the last two. An individual may then adopt one or several dhutaygas only if he is motivated according to the fourth or fifth among these five kinds of motivations. However, a dhutayga is of much higher benefit if it is adopted according to the fifth motivation instead of the fourth.

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