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one foot, meditating with one arm always raised, and extreme fasting, for example, were all resorted to this end. An immense illusory net of beliefs based on these austerities was on rise, and even Lord Buddha practiced some of these in his early ascetic
life.
At the same time there were those in the society who supported neither the sacrificial sects nor severely austere practices. Predictably, a few of these aspirants revolted against these established practices. Turning their back to these prevalent rituals and showing their resentment toward these practices, these few nonconformists searched for the truth as wandering monks. The result: before the advent of Buddha various sects and schools of philosophy arose. During this period of religious confusion, many people were longing for a way to eradicate suffering and find suitable answers to the essential questions of life. None of the prevailing cults offered such a path. What was needed at this crucial time; were the key human virtues of compassion, loving kindness and sympathy. Lord Buddha appeared on this earth for the purpose of reviving these essential human virtues (benevolent samskaras).
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