Hi everyone! In my quest to better understand Buddha and his teachings, I have decided to conduct a three-day fast in the hopes of having an experience of enlightenment. I got permission from my school to take three days off from school this week (Monday-Wednesday), provided that I write a detailed paper on my experiences. I will be spending most of this time on a Tibetan prayer mat beneath a tree at the local park, practicing meditation and contemplation.
Before I begin my fast, I would like to know if anyone has any tips, particularly as they apply to Buddhist meditation practices and fasting customs. I will probably not be online for the next three days, but I will check tonight and then get back to on Wednesday evening with the results of my project.
Take care,
Tyler
Also, can anyone recommend some Buddhist meditations, mantras, or prayers that I can use during my time at the park?
Pray that you don't get mugged, or worse. Worse is very bad. Notify the police what you are up to.
1) A lot of parks, at least from where I was from in the US, close at a certain time.
2) Check with your doctor before doing any sort of religious fasting. Especially if you have any other known medical problems.
According to the web site here:
http://www.urbandharma.org/udharma9/fasting.html
I like this quote, "Dhutangas are a specific list of thirteen practices, four of which pertain to food: eating once a day, eating at one sitting, reducing the amount you eat, on alms-round, eating only the food that you receive at the first seven houses. These practices are adopted by individuals voluntarily, they are not required in the normal course of a Buddhist monastic's life of practice. 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."
Also...
"For monastics.... Fasting, because it is an difficult practice, is undertaken with supervision, under the guidance of a skilled mentor. Children rarely fast in any method connected with the Buddhist religion."
So make sure you have supervision AND a skilled mentor with you if you choose to do a full fast, like is described there.
Remember that religions have fasting practices that make them safe. Simply going out and not eating for several days is unsafe. Be sure to seek your doctor's advice and the advice of someone more experienced in your faith's fasting practices before you try something like this.
Matt
Hi Tyler! It's great that you're interested in exploring Buddhism and its teachings. However, I want to make sure that you approach this three-day fast safely and in a way that aligns with Buddhist practices. Fasting can be physically and mentally challenging, so it's important to take some precautions.
First, I would strongly recommend consulting with a healthcare professional before attempting any type of fasting, especially for an extended period of time. Fasting can have potential health risks, and it's important to ensure that you're physically capable of undertaking such a practice.
Next, it's essential to understand that fasting is not a necessary or central practice in Buddhism. While there are traditions within Buddhism that involve fasting, such as the Dhutanga practices, they are typically undertaken by monastics under proper guidance and supervision. Buddha emphasized moderation and the Middle Way, so extreme fasting may not align with the spirit of his teachings.
Instead of a complete fast, you might consider exploring modified fasting or intermittent fasting, where you restrict your calorie intake during specific periods of time. This approach can provide some of the benefits of fasting while minimizing risks.
As for meditation, you can incorporate different types of Buddhist meditation practices during your time at the park. Here are a few suggestions:
1. Mindfulness meditation (Sati): This involves focusing your attention on the present moment, observing your thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations without judgment. You can sit comfortably, close your eyes, and bring your attention to your breath or any other chosen anchor point.
2. Loving-kindness meditation (Metta): This practice involves cultivating feelings of love, compassion, and kindness towards oneself and others. You can silently repeat phrases like "May I be happy, may others be happy," and visualize yourself and others experiencing joy and wellbeing.
3. Walking meditation: Instead of sitting, you can practice meditation while walking slowly in a designated area. Pay attention to the sensations in your feet as they touch the ground, the movement of your body, and the surroundings. This can help cultivate mindfulness and a sense of groundedness.
4. Mantra meditation: You can choose a Buddhist mantra, such as "Om Mani Padme Hum," and repeat it silently or out loud during your meditation practice. The repetition of the mantra can help focus your mind and deepen your concentration.
Remember, it's important to approach your project responsibly and prioritize your own wellbeing. I encourage you to do further research on Buddhist teachings, consult with experienced practitioners or teachers, and consider incorporating elements of fasting and meditation that are safe and suitable for you.
Take care and best of luck with your project!