Question

Beside christian and catholic what are other religious tradition where fasting can be observed? at least one page

SUBJECT: Anthropology

Answer 1

Fasting has been promoted and practiced from ancient times worldwide by physicians, by the founders and followers of many religions, by culturally designated individuals and by individuals or groups as an expression of protest against what they believe are violations of social, ethical, or political principles. It’s also been regularly used for religious and spiritual reasons for about as long as religion has been acknowledged. It can be found within the roots of every major world religion. During the season of Lent, Christians, specifically, Catholics give up a certain food or practice fasting.  Fasting is often associated with the season of Lent for Christians or the season of Ramadan for Muslims; however, many other cultures and religions around the world fast throughout the year.  While the duration, practice, and specific reasons vary, all fasts have the similar goals of showing sacrifice and purifying oneself.

Religions and philosophies that practice fasting include: Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Taoism, Jainism, and Hinduism. During Ramadan, Muslim worshippers fast from sunrise to sunset for the entire month. It is meant to be a time of spiritual discipline - of deep contemplation of one's relationship with God, extra prayer, increased charity and generosity, and intense study of the Quran.

In Buddhism, Strict fasting is not advised since it does not conform to the Middle Path delineated by Buddha, but some monks skip meals after noon to stay healthy.

Fasting in Jainism is driven by the ideal of non-violence. There are many different types of fasts. Santhara, which involves self-starvation, could be carried out to voluntary death.

Fasting for special purposes or before or during special sacred time’s remains a characteristic of major religions of the world. Fasting can last for just a few hours or even a few weeks, usually with practitioners eating at night.  Interestingly, even within a religion, different denominations or sects may fast differently or at different times.

Among the pre-Columbian peoples of Peru, fasting often was one of the requirements for penance after an individual had confessed sins before a priest. In India, Hindu sadhus (holy men) are admired for their frequent personal fasts for numerous reasons.

Some cultures even fast for non-religious reasons.   The town of Geneva, Switzerland, holds the “Jeune genevois” or “Fast of Geneva,” which is a public holiday and day of fasting in the canton of Geneva occurring in the month of September.  The holiday originated in the Middle Ages when some days were officially decided to be fasting days as penitence after mishaps such as wars, epidemics, or the plague.

Fasting has been around for centuries and will endure to be a regular practice for many cultures in the future.  Remember to be culturally sensitive to those that are fasting to prevent your actions from making their practice more difficult.