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

Main article: Piṇḍacāra

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.

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

• Dāna

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". 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.