For the 13th-century Turkic Chinese Nestorian monk, seeRabban Bar Sauma.
InMandaeism,ṣauma (Classical Mandaic:ࡑࡀࡅࡌࡀ) is a term that meansfasting. Althoughṣauma can refer to physical fasting, it is more often used in Mandaeism to refer to spiritual piety and abstaining fromsin.[1]
On some days of theMandaean calendar, Mandaeans perform light fasting. Unlike theMuslim fasting duringRamadan, Mandaeans do not completely forgo food and water for long periods. Instead, Mandaeans typically perform light fasting, such as abstaining from meat during certainmbaṭṭal (inauspicious) days.[2]
TheMandaic termṢauma Rabba (Classical Mandaic:ࡑࡀࡅࡌࡀ ࡓࡁࡀ,romanized: Ṣauma Rba,lit. 'Great Fast') refers to a kind of "spiritual fasting" in which devout Mandaeans do not partake in the vices of the world and abstain from performing sinful activities.[1]: 41
The precepts of theṢauma Rabba, which exemplify the Mandaean tenets ofpacificism, are mentioned in Book 1 and Book 2, Chapter 1 of theRight Ginza. Both have eight precepts that are identified with different parts of the body.[3]
Book 1 of theRight Ginza explains that the Great Fast is not about food and drink but about moral and spiritual discipline. (Note that the following text is not directly quoted from any translated versions of the Ginza Rabba.)
Fast with your eyes by avoiding deceptive glances and ill intentions.
Fast with your ears by not listening to things that do not concern you.
Fast with your mouth by speaking truthfully and avoiding lies.
Fast with your heart by rejecting hatred, jealousy, and conflict.
Fast with your hands by refraining from violence and theft.
Fast with your body by staying away from forbidden relationships.
Fast with your knees by refusing to worship Satan or false idols.
Fast with your feet by not pursuing things gained through deceit.
The Great Fast must be kept until one’s departure from this world.
