It is said that back in the day, Shakyamuni observed birth, old age, sickness, and death, and felt a sense of renunciation. At that time, there was no Buddhism in this world, but there were already many sects that recognized the great suffering in the world.
Mainly, Ancient India was too harsh, with frequent droughts and floods, nothing to eat, nothing to wear, most people living as savages in the forests.
Many ancient Indians pondered there on how to eliminate this suffering, and after much contemplation, various sects were formed.
Some said that if one enjoyed too much in the previous life, they would suffer in this life.
Some said that people bore sins and had to rely on ascetic practices, enduring hardship to cleanse their karma.
Notions like karma and cause-and-effect emerged one after another.
Shakyamuni joined an ascetic sect, stopped eating, and hid in the jungle, surviving on grass seeds for days.
