Fasting in the monastic community is considered an ascetic practice, a “dhutanga” practice. Dhutanga means “to shake up” or “invigoration”. The Buddha, as is well known, emphasized moderation, the Middle Way that avoids extremes, in all things. Fasting is an additional method that one can take up, with supervision, for a time.
There are two ways of passing from this world – one in light, and one in darkness. When one passes in light he does not come back but when one passes in darkness he returns.
The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts.
As soon as we lose the moral basis, we cease to be religious. There is no such thing as religion overriding morality. Man, for instance, cannot be untruthful, cruel or incontinent and claim to have God on his side.
