Rituals that are performed with the desire of attaining salvation also help a man to achieve growth and progress in this world.
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.
The devotee engages to the best of his ability into the play of life, fulfilling his role on this earth as student, employee, husband, wife, parent, neighbor, and community servant. But at the heart of the devotee is a burning desire for the Lord.
Just as rivers flow from east and west to merge with the one sea, forgetting that they were ever separate rivers, so all beings lose their separateness when they eventually merge into pure Being.
