Bhiksha

In this article, the topic of Bhiksha will be addressed, which has gained relevance in recent years due to its impact in different areas. Bhiksha is a topic that has aroused the interest of experts and scholars, as well as the general public, due to its importance and significance in today's society. Throughout this article, different aspects related to Bhiksha will be analyzed, from its origin and history to its influence today. Various points of view and opinions on the matter will be examined, with the aim of providing a comprehensive and complete vision on this topic. In addition, reflections and conclusions will be offered that invite reflection and debate, in order to deepen the understanding of Bhiksha and its impact on the contemporary world.

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

Main article: Piṇḍacāra
Buddhist Dana
Ṭhānissaro on piṇḍacāra receiving piṇḍapāta

In Buddhism, bhiksha takes 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]

Buddhist monks are called bhikkhu (Pali) or bhikṣu (Sanskrit) while nuns are called bhikkhunī (Pali) or bhikṣunī (Sanskrit) which translates to 'almsman' and 'almswoman' respectively.[4]

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).[5]

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 Brahmanas in exchange for karmakanda. It is given by disciples to a guru as an offering as well.[citation needed]

Bhiksha is incorporated into religious rituals as well, a prominent one being the bhikshacharanam, which includes begging for alms. In such a ritual, after thread ceremony must beg for alms, stating, "bhavati bhiksham dehi".[6]

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 Parivrajaka begging for alms. When she subsequently offers him bhiksha, he abducts her to Lanka upon his pushpaka vimana.[7]

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. ^ Harvey, Peter (2013). An Introduction to Buddhism: Teachings, History and Practices (2. ed.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. p. 287. ISBN 978-0-521-67674-8.
  5. ^ Venkatesan, Soumhya (2016). "Giving and Taking without Reciprocity: Conversations in South India and the Anthropology of Ethics" (PDF). 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.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ 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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