Siddhartha, the ascetic

30. Siddhartha also tried to become an ascetic. He thought that if he practiced hard enough, he would become enlightened (that is, know the way and be able to overcome suffering). So he found a place at Uruvela near a river and a village, where he could wash and obtain his daily food. There were five other men living there, and they became his companions. Like Siddhartha, they also practiced asceticism. Their names were Kondanna, Bhaddiya, Vappa, Mahanama and Assaji.