Penance

== Penance in Indian beliefs ==
{{Main|Prāyaścitta}}
In Hinduism, acts of hardship committed on oneself (fasting, lying on rocks heated by the Sun, etc.), especially as part of an ascetic way of life (as monk or 'wise man') in order to attain a higher form of mental awareness (through detachment from the earthly, not punishing guilt) or favours from god(s) are considered penance. In Hinduism penance is widely discussed in [[Dharmasastra]] literature. In the Gita, there is a warning against excessive "penance" of a merely physical nature. There is the special term "[[Tapas (Indian religions)|Tapas]]", for intense concentration that is like a powerful fire, and this used to be sometimes translated as "penance", although the connotations are different.

The Indian spiritual teacher [[Meher Baba]] stated that "When penance is carefully nourished and practiced, it inevitably results in the mental revocation of undesirable modes of thought and conduct, and makes one amenable to a life of purity and service."<ref>[[Meher Baba|Baba, Meher]] (1995). ''Discourses''. Myrtle Beach: Sheriar Press. p. 44. {{ISBN|978-1880619094}}.</ref>