Editing Jainism (section)

===Food and fasting===
{{Main|Jain vegetarianism|Fasting in Jainism}}
The practice of non-violence towards all living beings has led to Jain culture being [[Jain vegetarianism|vegetarian]]. Devout Jains practice [[lacto-vegetarianism]], meaning that they eat no eggs, but accept dairy products if there is no violence against animals during their production. [[Veganism]] is encouraged if there are concerns about animal welfare.{{sfn|Voorst|2015|p=105}} Jain monks, nuns and some followers avoid [[root vegetable]]s such as potatoes, onions, and garlic because tiny organisms are injured when the plant is pulled up, and because a bulb or tuber's ability to sprout is seen as characteristic of a higher living being.{{sfn|Sangave|1980|p=260}}{{efn|In Jainism, the ''ahiṃsā'' precept for a mendicant requires avoidance of touching or disturbing any living being including plants. It also mandates never swimming in water, nor lighting or fire or extinguish one, nor thrashing arms in the air as such actions can torment or hurt other beings that live in those states of matter.{{sfn|Taylor|2008|pp=892–894}}}} Jain monks and advanced lay people avoid eating after sunset, observing a vow of ''ratri-bhojana-tyaga-vrata''.{{sfn|Jaini|2000|p=285}} Monks observe a stricter vow by eating only once a day.{{sfn|Jaini|2000|p=285}}

Jains fast particularly during festivals.{{sfn|Wiley|2009|p=85}} This practice is called ''upavasa'', ''tapasya'' or ''vrata'',{{sfn|Wiley|2009|pp=85–86}} and may be practiced according to one's ability.{{sfn|Ram Bhushan Prasad Singh|2008|pp=92–94}} Digambaras fast for ''Dasa-laksana-parvan'', eating only one or two meals per day, drinking only boiled water for ten days, or fasting completely on the first and last days of the festival,{{sfn|Wiley|2009|p=72}} mimicking the practices of a Jain mendicant for the period.{{sfn|Wiley|2009|p=72}} Śvētāmbara Jains do similarly in the eight day ''paryusana'' with ''samvatsari-pratikramana''.{{sfn|Wiley|2009|pp=72, 85–86}} The practice is believed to remove karma from one's soul and provides merit (''punya'').{{sfn|Wiley|2009|p=85}} A "one day" fast lasts about 36 hours, starting at sunset before the day of the fast and ending 48 minutes after sunrise the day after.{{sfn|Wiley|2009|p=85}} Among laypeople, fasting is more commonly observed by women, as it shows their piety and religious purity, gains merit earning and helps ensure future well-being for their family. Some religious fasts are observed in a social and supportive female group.{{sfn|Wiley|2009|p=86}} Long fasts are celebrated by friends and families with special ceremonies.{{sfn|Wiley|2009|p=86}}