Fast 禁食

昨日清晨之南湖边

We know that, in order to function well, our body needs food.  But why do many people fast sometimes?

我们知道，为了正常运作，我们的身体需要食物，但是为什么很多人有时候会禁食呢？

Some of them fast because of their political reasons.  For example, Mohandas Gandhi, the famous Indian leader, fasted 17 times during his life. For him, fasting was a powerful political tool.  In 1943 he fasted to bring attention to his country’s need for independence.  For 21 days, he went without food.

有的人禁食是为了他们的政治原因。比如穆罕默德•甘地——著名的印度领袖，在他的一生中绝食17次。对于他来说，禁食是一有力的政治武器。1943年，他通过禁食，把人们的注意力转移到国家独立的需求上。在21天里，他滴米未进。

Some of them fast because of spiritual meaning like religions. For example, every year during the month of Ramadan, which is a religious holiday, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset.

有的人禁食是因为精神意义上的宗教，比如，每年的斋月是穆斯林的节日。在这个月里，穆斯林教徒们从日出那一刻开始禁食，一直到日落。

However, not everyone fasts for political or religious reasons.  Some people occasionally fast just because it makes them feel better.  The American writer Mark Twain thought fasting was the best medicine for common illnesses.  Whenever he had a cold or a fever, he stopped eating completely.  He said that this always made his cold or fever go away.

然而并不是所有禁食的人都是因为政治或宗教原因而禁食。有的人偶尔禁食仅仅只是因为禁食会让他们感觉更舒服。美国作家马克•吐温认为，禁食是治疗普通病的最好药方。每当感冒或发烧的时候，他就彻底不吃饭。他说这种办法总是能治好他的感冒和发烧。

I think it’s very dangerous to go without food.  However, it doesn’t stop people from fasting for political, religious or health reasons.

我觉得不吃饭还是挺危险的。然而，这丝毫不会阻止人们为了政治、宗教或健康原因而禁食。

2022.9.20

Sept 20, 2022