Bhiksha

Bhiksha (Sanskrit: भिक्षा, bhikṣā; Pali: 𑀪𑀺𑀓𑁆𑀔𑀸, bhikkhā) is a term used in Indic religions, such as Jainism, Buddhism and Hinduism, to refer to the act of alms or asking.[1] Commonly, it is also used to refer to food obtained by asking for alms.

Buddhism

Buddhist Dana
Ṭhānissaro on piṇḍacāra receiving piṇḍapāta

In Buddhism, bhiksha takes on the form of the monastic almsround (Pali: 𑀧𑀺𑀡𑁆𑀟𑀘𑀸𑀭, piṇḍacāra),[2] during which monks make themselves available to the laity to receive alms food (Pali: 𑀧𑀺𑀡𑁆𑀟𑀧𑀸𑀢, piṇḍapāta).[3]

Hinduism

19th-century Ramayana manuscript of Ravana begging from Sita in the Ramayana.

Bhiksha signifies a Hindu tradition of asking for alms with the purpose of self-effacement or ego-conquering. Other forms of giving and asking include dakshina (offering a gift to the guru) and dāna (an unreciprocated gift to someone in need).[4]

Usually, bhiksha is the meal served to a sadhu sanyasi or monk when that person visits a devout Hindu household. Occasionally, bhiksha has also referred to donations of gold, cattle, and even land, given to Brahmins in exchange for karmakanda. It is given by disciples to a guru as an offering as well.

Bhiksha is incorporated into religious rituals as well, a prominent one being the bhikshacharanam, which includes begging for alms. In such a ritual, a Brahmin who has completed his rite of passage ceremony must beg for alms, stating, "bhavati bhiksham dehi".[5]

The concept of a deity or being seeking bhiksha occurs in Hindu literature such as the Ramayana. In this epic, in order to lure Sita out of her hermitage, Ravana disguises himself as a mendicant begging for alms. When she subsequently offers him bhiksha, he abducts her to Lanka upon his pushpaka vimana.[6]

See also

References

  1. Monier-Williams, M. (2007). A Sanskrit-English Dictionary. New Delhi: Bharatiya Granth Niketan. p. 756. ISBN 978-81-89211-00-4.
  2. "Piṇḍacāra: Going on Almsround". Nāḷandā Buddhist Society. 2012-08-29.
  3. "Piṇḍapāta in Detail". Pālēlāi Buddhist Temple.
  4. Venkatesan, Soumhya (2016). "Giving and Taking without Reciprocity: Conversations in South India and the Anthropology of Ethics". Social Analysis: The International Journal of Social and Cultural Practice. 60 (3): 36–56. doi:10.3167/sa.2016.600303. ISSN 0155-977X. JSTOR 26404938.
  5. Kannan, P. R. (2022-05-30). Smritimuktaphalam: Varnashrama Dharma Kandam (in Arabic). Giri Trading Agency Private Limited. p. 236. ISBN 978-81-7950-871-8.
  6. Chandra, Dinesh (2016-03-05). Hinduism: The Dawn of Civilization. Diamond Pocket Books Pvt Ltd. p. 122. ISBN 978-93-85975-43-1.
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