Normal fasting
Fasting
Fasting is very common in Jain spirituality.
Although a Jain may take it upon him or herself to fast at any time, most Jains will fast at special times during the year, at festivals and holy days.
The monsoon period (in India) is a time of fasting, and fasting is a feature of Jain festivals.
Fasting is more often done by Jain women than men.
The aim of fasting
Jain fasts may be done as a penance, especially for monks and nuns. Fasting also purifies body and mind, and reminds the practitioner of Mahavira's emphasis on renunciation and asceticism, because Mahavira spent a great deal of time fasting.
Fasting in mind as well as body
It is not sufficient for a Jain simply to not eat when fasting. They must also stop wanting to eat. If they continue to desire food the fast is pointless.
Types of fast
There are several types of fasting:
- Complete fasting: giving up food and water completely for a period
- Partial fasting: eating less than you need to avoid hunger
- Vruti Sankshepa: limiting the number of items of food eaten
- Rasa Parityaga: giving up favourite foods
Great fasts
Some Jain monks fast for months at a time, following the example of Mahavira, who is said to have fasted for over 6 months. Even today there are Jains who fast for over six months like Hira Ratan Manek. Others have fasted for an year like Sri Sahaj Muni Maharaj who completed his record-breaking 365-day fast on May 1, 1998.