Bhiksha

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Bhiksha (

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

Main article:
Piṇḍacāra
Buddhist Dana
Ṭhānissaro on piṇḍacāra receiving piṇḍapāta

In

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

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. 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. JSTOR 26404938
    .
  5. ISBN 978-81-7950-871-8
    .
  6. ISBN 978-93-85975-43-1
    .
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