Mendicant
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A mendicant (from
Mendicancy is a form of
Religious practice
Many religious orders adhere to a mendicant way of life, including the
.While mendicants are the original type of monks in Buddhism and have a long history in Indian Hinduism and the countries which adapted Indian religious traditions, they did not become widespread in Christianity until the
Christianity
Catholic Church
In the early
In the early 13th century, the Catholic Church would see a revival of mendicant activity, as followers of
Itinerant preachers that belonged to mendicant orders traveled from town to town to preach the
"The choice to be poor was realized in a series of gestures: abandonment of one's paternal house, a wandering life, ragged appearance and clothes, manual work as scullery-man and mason, and begging without shame."
Other Christians
Unlike Western Christians,
Despite the abandoning of ascetic practice within
Buddhism
A major difference between Buddhist and Christian mendicancy is the understanding of
Theravada
"Properly considering the robe, I use it: simply to ward off cold, to ward off heat, to ward off the touch of flies, mosquitoes, simply for the purpose of covering the parts of the body that cause shame.
"Properly considering almsfood, I use it: not playfully, nor for intoxication, nor for putting on weight, nor for beautification; but simply for the survival and continuance of this body, for ending its afflictions, for the support of the chaste life, (thinking) I will destroy old feelings (of hunger) and not create new feelings (from overeating). Thus I will maintain myself, be blameless, and live in comfort.
"Properly considering the lodging, I use it: simply to ward off cold, to ward off heat, to ward off the touch of flies, mosquitoes, wind, sun and reptiles; simply for protection from the inclemencies of weather and for the enjoyment of seclusion.
"Properly considering medicinal requisites for curing the sick, I use them: simply to ward off any pains of illness that have arisen and for the maximum freedom from disease."
In addition, a monk's personal property was also limited. The Theravada tradition recognizes eight requisites (Pali: aññha parikkhàra):[5]
- Uttarāsaṅga (outer robe)
- Antarvāsa (inner robe)
- Saṃghāti (double robe)
- an alms bowl
- a razor for shaving
- a needle and thread
- a belt
- a water strainer
Commentarial literature provides additional possessions based on circumstance.
Japanese Buddhism
Similar to the development of
Nevertheless, piṇḍapāta is occasionally practiced in
Islam
Among Muslims, especially in Northern Nigeria, there are mendicants called
See also
- Buddhist mendicancy
- Christian mendicancy
- Mendicant orders
- Fools for Christ
- Islamic mendicancy
- Hindu mendicancy
- General terminology
References
- ^ "'Begging Without Shame': Medieval Mendicant Orders Relied on Contributions". Catholic Health Association of the United States. 2017. Retrieved 2019-12-16.
- JSTOR 23020390.
- ^ Cowell, E. B. (1901). "No. 469.: Mahā-Kaṇha-Jātaka". The Jataka, Vol. IV. Cambridge University Press.
- ^ Bhikkhu Ariyesako (1998). "Possessions And Offerings". The Bhikkhus Rules: A Guide for Laypeople. Sanghaloka Forest Hermitage.
- ^ "The Eight Requisites". Guide To Buddhism A To Z. Retrieved 2019-12-17.
- ^ "托鉢". Digital Dictionary of Buddhism. Retrieved 2019-12-16.
- ^ Patterns of Street-Begging, Support Services and Vocational Aspirations of People Living with Disabilities in Ilorin, Nigeria (PDF), Abuja, Nigeria: Department of Social Studies, Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin Mustapha, Jaiimi University of Abuja
Further reading
- Women of the Streets, Early Franciscan Women and Their Mendicant Vocation, by Darleen Pryds, ISBN 978-1-57659-206-9.
External links
- Media related to Mendicant monks at Wikimedia Commons
- Dictionary definition from the Free Dictionary