Fasting Across Traditions

KOMPAS/YUNIADHI AGUNG

Ahmad Najib Burhani

Fasting is the practice of limiting oneself from eating and drinking, and has been carried out by various traditions across the world since time immemorial. Reasons for fasting include religion, culture, health and politics.

In Java, as written by Clifford Geertz (1964), fasting is a ritual practiced by many people of all class levels with the aim of "spiritual strength and intensity". Through fasting ritual, someone will be able to increase his or her supernatural power, spiritual strength or supernatural ability.

In certain ancient societies, fasting was done as a way to clean oneself, as a preparation for receiving mystical power, or a way so that the strength or potential that already exists in a person can be stronger and can be awakened or displayed (Tamney, 1980). This type of fasting was usually carried out by a prince some time before being crowned or confirmed as a king.

Through fasting ritual, someone will be able to increase his or her supernatural power, spiritual strength or supernatural ability.

Also read: Learning to Fast

Fasting, in the above context, is seen as a symbol of death and rebirth. During the implementation of fasting, there will be a process of purification of various impurities and ugliness that exist in human being so that after fasting the person is like being reborn in the world in a clean condition. During fasting too, positive strength and various self-potentials will be awakened so that the doer will be ready with new responsibilities and burdens after fasting, like becoming a king or community leader.

Even though there are several slices, the meaning of fasting in the traditions of the ancient society and Javanese society above is not entirely the same as the fasting tradition practiced in several major religions. In religious traditions, fasting is sometimes interpreted as an effort to repent of sins that have been done or as a form of obedience to God\'s commands or as an effort to control oneself and lust.

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In Islam, for example, many people fast, including outside the month of Ramadan, with the aim of piety or to get closer to Allah. In the language of the Quran, the purpose of being obliged to fast is to enable the doers to reach the degree of piety or become muttaqin (QS 2: 183).

Apart from several forms of the above-mentioned meaning, modern society will give another different meaning to fasting. Generally, the interpretation is more rational or secular in nature. For example, fasting is done so that the doers can control themselves, their lust, and their physical condition better. Therefore, later there appears a type of fasting in the health tradition known as "diet". Sometimes, fasting is interpreted socially as an effort to enable the doers to feel the suffering or hunger experienced by the poor.

Also read: Fasting, Reaching Piety and Blessings

Fasting can also be done with certain political objectives. This, for example, happens with a "hunger strike" or fasting as a form of protest against government policies that are deemed unfair or unacceptable. Protesting by fasting is sometimes done when the protest by shouting is no longer heard. "Torturing oneself" by fasting becomes more expressive and sometimes has a higher appeal than prayer or protest by shouting.

In addition to the various meanings and purposes of fasting, the pattern and duration of fasting also vary based on the traditions and models that are followed. Ramadan fasting, for example, is done for a whole month. The doers are prohibited from eating, drinking, having sex, and other things that cancel it from dawn to dusk.

Different from fasting conducted by Muslims, Jews fast at Yom Kippur, namely the 10th day of the seventh month in the Jewish calendar. The fasting period is 25 hours non-stop starting before sunset. In this fast, they do not eat, drink, work, drive, shop and avoid physical pleasures. During the 25 hours, life will be filled with worship.

Christians fast on Good Friday, the commemoration of Jesus\' death. Greek Orthodox Christians fast 40 days before Christmas and 48 days before Easter. Fasting is done by refraining from certain foods, such as eggs, meat and alcohol. There is also the Daniel fast, which is practiced by some Christians. This fast is similar to a vegan diet, with fasters only eating, fruits, vegetables, wheat and seeds. Usually it is done for 21 days a year (Venegas-Borsellino, Sonikpreet and Martindale, 2018).

In Buddhist tradition, fasting is called vassa. Fasting is generally only practiced by monks. In general, Buddhists fast all year round in the form of a diet of certain foods, such as meat, cheese, milk and alcohol. However, there are several differences in the various Buddhist traditions. Theravada fasts for three months during the rainy season. This fast is done for 12 hours. Vajrayana in Tibet observes two full days of fasting as part of the Nyungne celebration. When fasting, the fasters are prohibited even from speaking (Gaikwad, 2017).

In health, it gives time for the digestive organs in the body to rest so that they can avoid diseases caused by the metabolic process.

In Hinduism, fasting is called upawasa. Hindus in India fast on certain major days, such as Maha-Shivaratri and the nine-day fast on the Navaratri festival. Fasting on Shivaratri is also practiced in Bali by not eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset. On the Nyepi day, Balinese Hindus also fast from dawn to the next dawn.

Also read: Religious Moderation

Even though there are various meanings and traditions in carrying out fasting, this ritual is generally carried out to enable human beings to improve themselves, "fortify the body, purify the spirit and elevate consciousness". In health, it gives time for the digestive organs in the body to rest so that they can avoid diseases caused by the metabolic process.

Of course, because of the various types of fasting, each has a different analysis from a health perspective. Likewise, the achievement of the goals of fasting, not everything can be guaranteed to be achieved. Even Buddha also revised his practice of excessive fasting before he attained enlightenment.

AHMAD NAJIB BURHANI, Research Professor at the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI)

This article was translated by Hyginus Hardoyo.