According to Jain Dharma, the ideal daily eating times are based on sunrise and sunset, not on the clock.

In simple form:

1. No eating before sunrise

- First food or drink only after sunrise, usually after Navkarsi (about 48 minutes after sunrise). - This gives time for morning pūja, samayik, etc., and ensures you eat in proper daylight. - More on Navkarsi here:

1. Eat only in daylight

- All meals should be taken between sunrise and sunset. - Many lay Jains take: - 1st meal: morning (after Navkarsi) - 2nd meal: midday / early afternoon - Monks/nuns eat only once or twice, always before noon.

1. Stop eating before sunset

- For householders, the standard vow is no food after sunset (rātri-bhojan-tyāg). - Best practice taught by many Āchāryas: - Finish food about 1 muhūrta (~48 minutes) before sunset, so eating is fully in daylight. - Strict chovihār/chauvihār: no food and (in stricter form) no water after sunset until sunrise the next day. - Explanation: and

1. Why these timings? (Jain view)

- Ahimsā: At night, many tiny beings become active and are harder to see; eating/cooking then causes more hiṃsā. - Saṃyam & health: Daylight eating supports discipline, better digestion, and lighter sleep. - Simple explanation: - Scientific reasons are also discussed here:

1. Differences in practice (short)

- Śvetāmbars & Digambars both: - Emphasize no night-eating. - Monks and nuns: always in daylight, usually before noon. - Some traditions are stricter about water (no water after sunset = full chovihār).

If you want to start simply as a lay follower:

• Take your first food after sunrise (prefer Navkarsi).
• Keep 2 light meals in daylight.
• Finish everything at least a little before sunset, and then avoid food (and if possible, water) till next sunrise.