Expert: Justin Choo - 8/17/2006

Question
Hello:

I was recently listening to a Dharma talk given by a Theravada monk in which he briefly spoke of a week-long fast that he undertook not long ago. It's the only such reference to fasting I've heard besides the 'no food after noon' precept on Uposatha days for laypeople. I was wondering: Is there a place for fasting in Buddhism (i.e. beyond Uposatha days and monastic rules)? Could a layperson choose to undertake, say, a three-day fast for the advancement of their practice, or would that be straying from the Middle Way into self-mortification?

Thanks, Mark

Answer
Hi Mark,

Thank you for asking me.

Refraining from taking food past noon is actually not an act of fasting.  It is inculcating discipline in oneself not to be overindulgence in food.  It is one of the disciplinary rules required of a monk.  As for lay persons, the Buddha never imposed any commandment.  He merely advised the followers on what was skilful and what was unskilful.  If one indulges in skilful actions, then one will benefit.  If otherwise, then one will be asking for trouble.

In health literature, it is always recommended that we should undertake periodic fasting to cleanse our systems of toxic wastes.  There is nothing in Buddhism preventing followers from fasting.  So long as you do it moderately and intelligently without harming yourself or others, then there is nothing to fault.  

Happy fasting!

Smile from Justinchoo :-)