Chaturmas fasting: dos and don’ts in Jain Dharma

Dos

• Keep Ahimsa foremost in mind.
• Follow fasting or upvas according to your strength and guru’s guidance.
• Eat simple, sattvik, and permitted food during non-fasting days.
• Observe samayik, pratikraman, swadhyay, and japa more sincerely.
• Reduce anger, ego, deceit, greed, and attachment.
• Use filtered water and follow proper Jain care in food and daily conduct.
• Maintain discipline, humility, and purity of mind.
• Serve sadhus, sadhvis, and fellow devotees with respect.

Don’ts

• Do not eat non-Jain prohibited foods or anything that increases himsa.
• Do not take fasting lightly or for show.
• Do not overeat before or after fasting.
• Do not speak harshly, lie, or create conflict.
• Do not waste food, water, or resources.
• Do not focus only on external fasting and ignore inner restraint.
• Do not break vows casually without proper reason and repentance.

Important point

In Jainism, fasting is not only about avoiding food. It is mainly for self-control, purification, and spiritual progress.

If you want, I can also give:

• Chaturmas fasting rules for householders
• Types of Jain fasts
• What to eat and avoid during Chaturmas