The ascetic lifesyle, notable especially between the second and fourth centuries and between the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, is dwindling. Although many of the most extreme forms of asceticism are no longer practiced, asceticism has long been at the heart of some of the most widely recognized religions of the world, including Christianity, Buddhism and Islam. The majority of the world's religions, in fact, include some form of asceticism. Judaism is one of the only major world relgions that is not truly ascetic--only some forms of asceticism are practiced, such as fasting. Monasteries around the world house also house relgious who practice a stringent, ascetic lifestyle, some taking vows of silence, celibacy and poverty.

Christians, for example, celebrate a form of asceticism during a period of the liturgical year called Lent. Lent, which begins after Ash Wednesday and culminates after Good Friday, is a period of reflection and asceticism during which Christians sacrifice something material that is meaningful to them, symbolizing the sacrifice of Jesus. Certain days (Fridays) are reserved for fasting, and moderation is the central goal. Lent ends with a joyful celebration of Easter, which is more of a time for endulgence, as Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. The resurrection is a "return to life" from the stringent, ascetic period of Lent.

Asceticism is deeply rooted in the Buddhist religion, and the concept of control of the body is a central precept. In Buddhism, the body is subjugated to the spirit and the mind is the controlling spiritual force. This type of asceticism is used to cleanse the spirit and attain a certain enlightenment. The form of asceticism in Buddhism is not severe and extreme, but is mainly regarded as a type of self-discipline. In Buddhism, like many other religions, this ascetic suffering is linked to cleansing and the release from worldly desires.

This image shows Saint Benedict supervising the construction of twelve monasteries.

Like Christians, followers of Islam have a period during the year during which they fast-the holy month of Ramadan. Although the Quran rejects extreme forms of asceticism such as monasticism, numerous ascetic movements within Islam have arisen throughout history. Zuhd, a movement centering on self-denial, surfaced in Islam, and another was manifested during the 8th century in the Sufist movement.

Every Muslim who has reached a certain age is also required to undergo a pilgramage to Mecca, the site where Allah (God) spoke to the prophet Mohammed, during his or her lifetime. This type of pilgramage can also be seen as a form of asceticism in that Muslims must leave their material life for a period to undergo the pilgramage.