Christmas, here again. Let us raise a loving cup: Peace on earth, goodwill to men, and make them do the washing up.
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 is a bridge between time and Eternity; and this bridge is Atman, the Spirit of man. Neither day nor night crosses that bridge, nor old age, nor death nor sorrow.
As a camel beareth labour, and heat, and hunger, and thirst, through deserts of sand, and fainteth not; so the fortitude of a man shall sustain him through all perils.
