When it comes to fasting, people often equate it with vegetarianism and see it as an accessory to religious practice. However, this understanding is actually a misunderstanding of the essence of fasting and even religious practice. Fasting should be broken down into the two words “fasting” and “fasting”, and its deeper meaning should be explored in depth.
Zhai “not only refers to the external form of vegetarianism, but also contains profound connotations of cleansing the body and mind. In Taoist beliefs, all heavenly deities are transformed by the tranquil Dao Qi. In order for mortals to communicate with the deities, they must first purify themselves and remove the impurities of their body and mind, in order to perceive the true essence of the Dao. Therefore, in Taoist rituals, regardless of the sect, the importance of fasting is emphasized as a bridge to communicate with the gods.
Patriarch Lu Xiujing deeply expounded the significance of fasting in his book “A Brief Introduction to the Daoist Sect of Mr. Lu”. He pointed out that people often find it difficult to make their prayers reach the heavenly court due to impure thoughts, but they do not know that this is precisely the reason why fasting has not yet been achieved. Fasting is actually achieved through self reflection and purification, to attain a state of physical and mental clarity, in order to ensure that prayers reach the gods. This process is not only a repentance for past actions, but also a cultivation of compassion for all beings in heaven and earth. Therefore, fasting itself is a form of practice.
‘Abstinence’ is a series of behavioral norms based on the idea of fasting. The five precepts of Chuzhen require practitioners to strictly follow the precepts of not killing, not stealing, not engaging in licentiousness, not speaking recklessly, and not drinking alcohol. These commandments aim to suppress the impure emotions such as greed, anger, ignorance, slowness, and doubt in people’s hearts, and guide them towards goodness and the Tao. However, due to the diverse nature of sentient beings, it is difficult to generalize. Therefore, precepts are established to assist in spiritual practice and strengthen the guidance of thoughts and behaviors.
In the religious context, the significance of fasting lies in both paying tribute to God and purifying oneself. It is both an external expression of religious belief and an internal need for personal practice. Through fasting, faith can be deepened, the soul can be purified, and the inner demons can be overcome. However, it is worth noting that although fasting is important, it is not the entirety of faith. Overemphasizing the form of fasting while ignoring its underlying spiritual connotations is actually narrowing the path.
The obsession with fasting often manifests in two aspects: one is to regard fasting as an unconditional standard of practice, ignoring the differences between different sects and situations; The second is to use fasting as the sole criterion for judging the level of cultivation, ignoring the diversity and complexity of cultivation. In fact, fasting is just an auxiliary means in the process of cultivation, and its fundamental purpose is to promote physical and mental peace and compassion. For those who have already understood the Tao, fasting or not is just a manifestation of natural emotions.
Therefore, practitioners should deeply understand the true meaning of fasting, not be bound by formalities, and not troubled by obsession. The ultimate goal of spiritual cultivation is to maintain inner peace and tranquility in the face of the ever-changing world. Fasting, as a major method, aims to help us overcome inner demons and achieve true self transcendence. In this process, the most important thing is to know oneself, understand oneself, and surpass oneself – because the true path of cultivation begins with the heart and ends with the heart.
