Alms Bag taken from some Tapestry in Orleans, Fifteenth Century.

Alms or almsgiving exists in a number of religions. In general, it involves giving materially to another as an act of religious virtue. In Abrahamic religions, alms are given as charity to benefit the poor. In Buddhism, alms are given by lay people to monks to nurture laic virtue, merit and blessings and to ensure monastic continuity. Download high resolution version (1162x819, 21 KB)Alms Bag taken from some Tapestry in Orleans, Fifteenth Century. ... Download high resolution version (1162x819, 21 KB)Alms Bag taken from some Tapestry in Orleans, Fifteenth Century. ... The American Le Mans Series (ALMS) is a series of automobile races. ... Re: is a musical project of Aden Evens and Ian Ilavsky (also members of Sackville), who have been working together since 1996. ... Alms, released October 18, 2004, is the second album of the Montreal-based electronic duo Re:. Golem – 4:57 Orientalism as a Humanism – 8:45 On Golden Pond – 4:20 Radio Free Ramadi – 6:42 Lasers, Tracers, Radar Drones – 4:50 Pawk – 3:25 Home Security – 7:28 Categories: | | | ... map showing the prevalence of Abrahamic (purple) and Dharmic (yellow) religions in each country. ... Allegorical personification of Charity as a mother with three infants by Anthony van Dyck // The word charity entered the English language through the O.Fr word charite which was derived from the Latin caritas.[1] In Christian theology charity, or love (agapē), is the greatest of the three theological virtues... A silhouette of a Buddha statue at Ayutthaya, Thailand. ...

Buddhism

Almsbowl as used by bhikkhus for going on almsround.

In Buddhism, alms or almsgiving is the respect given by a lay Buddhist to a Buddhist monk. The monk will then pray for the giver's family or requested others. It is not charity as presumed by Western interpreters. It is closer to a symbolic connection to the spiritual and to show humbleness and respect in the presence of normal society. The visible presence of monks is a stabilizing influence. The act of alms giving assists in connecting the human to the monk and what he represents. As the Buddha has stated: Image File history File links Download high resolution version (866x1134, 645 KB) Almsbowl as used by bhikkhus for going almsround or pindabat. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (866x1134, 645 KB) Almsbowl as used by bhikkhus for going almsround or pindabat. ... In canonical Buddhism, householder refers to a particular strata of society whose individuals are typified by having a home life and family. ... A Buddhist Monk in Sri Lanka In Pāli, a bhikkhu (male) or bhikkhuni (female) is a fully ordained Buddhist monk. ...

Householders & the homeless [monastics]

in mutual dependence

both reach the true Dhamma.... (Itivuttaka 4.7)^[1]

In Theravada Buddhism, many monks (Pāli: bhikkhus) go on a daily almsround (or pindabat) to collect food. This is often perceived as giving the laypeople the opportunity to make merit (Pāli: puñña). Money should not be accepted by a Buddhist monk, although nowadays not many monks keep to this rule (the exception being the monks of the Thai Forest Tradition and other Theravada traditions which focus on vinaya and meditation practice). In countries that follow Mahayana Buddhism, it has been impractical for monks to go on a daily almsround. In China, Korea and Japan, monasteries were situated in remote mountain areas where it could take days to reach the nearest town, thus making the daily almsround impossible. In the Himalayan countries, the large number of bikshus would have made an almsround a heavy burden on families. Competition with other religions for support also made daily almsrounds difficult and even dangerous; the first monks in the Shilla dynasty of Korea were said to be beaten due to the Buddhist minority at the time. Theravada (Pāli: theravāda; Sanskrit: स्थविरवाद sthaviravāda; literally, the Way of the Elders) is the oldest surviving Buddhist school, and for many centuries has been the predominant religion of Sri Lanka (about 70% of the population[1]) and most of continental Southeast Asia (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand). ... Pāli is a Middle Indo-Aryan dialect or prakrit. ... A Buddhist Monk in Sri Lanka In Pāli, a bhikkhu (male) or bhikkhuni (female) is a fully ordained Buddhist monk. ... Merit is a concept in Buddhism, and particularly in Theravada Buddhism. ... The Thai Forest Tradition is a loosely organized movement within Thai Theravadin Buddhism, emphasizing meditation and strict adherence to the vinaya over intellectual pursuits. ... Theravada (Pāli: theravāda; Sanskrit: स्थविरवाद sthaviravāda; literally, the Way of the Elders) is the oldest surviving Buddhist school, and for many centuries has been the predominant religion of Sri Lanka (about 70% of the population[1]) and most of continental Southeast Asia (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand). ... The Vinaya (a word in Pali as well as in Sanskrit, with literal meaning discipline) is the textual framework for the Buddhist monastic community, or sangha. ... For other senses of this word, see Meditation (disambiguation). ... Relief image of the bodhisattva Kuan Yin from Mt. ...

In Buddhism, both "almsgiving" and, more generally, "giving" are called "dāna" (Pāli).^[2] Such giving is one of the three elements of the path of practice as formulated by the Buddha for laypeople. This path of practice for laypeople is: dāna, sīla, bhāvanā.^[3] Dana is a Sanskrit and Pali word meaning generosity or giving. ... Media:Example. ... Dana is a Sanskrit and Pali word meaning generosity or giving. ... In Sanskrit, śīla is a term in Indian-derived systems such as Hinduism and Buddhism which is usually rendered into English as behavioral discipline, morality, or ethics (Tibetan tshul khrims). ... Samadhi (Sanskrit, lit. ...

Generosity is also expressed towards other sentient beings as both a cause for merit and to aid the receiver of the gift. It is accepted that although the three jewels of refuge are the basis of the greatest merit, by seeing other sentient beings as having Buddhanature and making offerings towards the aspirational Buddha to be wihtin them is of equal benefit. Generosity towards other sentient beings is greatly emphasised in Mahayana as one of the perfections (paramita) as shown in Lama Tsong Khapa's 'The Abbreviated Points of the Graded Path' (Tibetan: lam-rim bsdus-don): Symbol of the triratna, as seen in the Sanchi stupa, 1st century BCE. The Three Jewels, also rendered as Three Treasures, Three Refuges or Triple Gem are the three things that Buddhists give themselves to, and in return look toward for guidance, in the process known as taking refuge. ... Pāramitā or PāramÄ« (Sanskrit and Pāli respectively): Perfection or Transcendent. In Buddhism & Jainism, the Paramitas refer to the perfection or culmination of certain practices. ... Je Tsongkhapa (Tsong-kha-pa) in the fifth vison of Khedrub Jey (Mkhas-grub) Tsongkhapa (Tibetan: ཙོང་ཁ་པ་; Wylie: Tsong-kha-pa) (1357 - 1419) , whose name means The Man from Onion Valley, was the founder of the Geluk (Dge-lugs) school of Tibetan Buddhism. ...

"Total willingness to give is the wish-granting gem for fulfilling the hopes of wandering beings.

It is the sharpest weapon to sever the knot of stinginess.

It leads to bodhisattva conduct that enhances self-confidence and courage,

And is the basis for universal proclamation of your fame and repute.

Realizing this, the wise rely, in a healthy manner, on the outstanding path

Of (being ever-willing) to offer completely their bodies, possessions, and positive potentials.

The ever-vigilant lama has practiced like that.

If you too would seek liberation,

Please cultivate yourself in the same way."^[4]

In Buddhism, giving of alms, is the beginning of one's journey to Nirvana (Pali: nibbana). In practice, one can give anything with or without thought for Nibbana. This would lead to faith (Pali: saddha), one key power (Pali: bala) that one should generate within oneself for the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha. Lands Bhutan â€¢ China â€¢ Korea Japan â€¢ Tibet â€¢ Vietnam Taiwan â€¢ Mongolia Doctrine Bodhisattva â€¢ Bodhicitta Karuna â€¢ Prajna Sunyata â€¢ Buddha Nature Trikaya â€¢ Eternal Buddha Scriptures Prajnaparamita Sutra Avatamsaka Sutra Lotus Sutra Nirvana Sutra VimalakÄ«rti Sutra Lankavatara Sutra History 4th Buddhist Council Silk Road â€¢ Nagarjuna Asanga â€¢ Vasubandhu Bodhidharma      A statue of a Bodhisattva, Akasagarbha. ... A silhouette of a Buddha statue at Ayutthaya, Thailand. ... ( Sanskrit: ; Pali: निब्बान Nibbāna; Vietnamese: Niết bàn; Chinese: 涅槃; Mandarin Pinyin: nièpán, Cantonese: nihppùhn; Japanese: nehan ); Korean: ì—´ë°˜, yeolbhan; Thai: nibpan นิพพาน); Tibetan mya-ngan-las-das-pa; Mongolian É£asalang-aca nögcigsen), is a Sanskrit word that literally means to cease blowing (as when a candle flame... The following article is about the term Nirvana in the context of Buddhism. ... Faith (saddhā / Å›raddhā) is an important constituent element of the teachings of the Buddha - both in the Theravada tradition and especially in the Mahayana. ... The Five Powers (Pali: ), similar to the Spiritual Faculties, in Buddhism are: Faith, Effort, Mindfulness, Concentration, and Wisdom. ... Media:Example. ... The word dharma (Sanskrit; धर्म in the Devanagari script) or dhamma (Pali) is used in most or all philosophies and religions of Indian origin, Dharmic faiths, namely Hinduism (Sanatana Dharma), Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism. ... Sangha is a word in Pali or Sanskrit that can be translated roughly as association or assembly. It is commonly used in several senses to refer to Buddhist or Jain groups. ...

According to the Pali canon: Standard edition of the Thai Pali Canon The Pali Canon is the standard scripture collection of the Theravada Buddhist tradition. ...

Of all gifts [alms], the gift of Dhamma is the highest. (Dhp. XXIV v. 354)^[5]

The word dharma (Sanskrit; धर्म in the Devanagari script) or dhamma (Pali) is used in most or all philosophies and religions of Indian origin, Dharmic faiths, namely Hinduism (Sanatana Dharma), Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism. ... The Dhammapada (Pali, translates as Path of the Dharma. ...

Islam

Islamic scriptural rules on alms are quite reminiscent of the biblical instructions:

If you give alms openly, it is well; but if you do it secretly and give to the poor, that is better. - (Qur-an 2:271a)

In Islam, zakat, or the giving of alms, is the third of the five pillars of Islam. Various rules attach to the practice, but in general terms, it is obligatory to give away 2.5% of ones savings and business revenue, as well as 5-10% of ones harvest, to the poor. The recipients include the destitute, the working poor, those who are unable to pay off their own debts, stranded travelers, and others who need assistance, with the general principle of zakaah always being that the rich should pay it to the poor. This is a sub-article of Islamic economical jurisprudence. ... The Five Pillars of Islam (Arabic: أركان الإسلام) is the term given to the five duties incumbent on every Muslim. ... Destitution is an extreme state of poverty, in which a person is almost completely lacking in resources or means of support. ... Working poor is a term used to describe individuals and families who maintain regular employment but remain in relative poverty due to low levels of pay and dependent expenses. ...

Christianity

Whereas the principle of almsgiving in Christianity is not a legal concept as in Islam, giving to the poor is regarded as one of the highest duties for any Christian. The offertory is the traditional moment in every Roman Catholic Mass, when alms are collected. In all Christian forms of worship, a collection is made of "tithes and offerings" given for the support of the church and for the relief of the poor, as a central act of Christian worship. In addition, private acts of charity, considered virtuous only if not done for others to admire, are a Christian duty. Christianity percentage by country, purple is highest, orange is lowest Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Wycliffe Tyndale · Luther · Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Pope · Archbishop of Canterbury Patriarch... Offertory (from the ecclesiastical Latin offertorium, French offertoire, a place to which offerings were brought), the alms of a congregation collected in church, or at any religious service. ... The Roman Catholic Church, most often spoken of simply as the Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with over one billion members. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... A tithe (from Old English teogoþa tenth) is a one-tenth part of something, paid as a (usually) voluntary contribution or as a tax or levy, usually to support a Jewish or Christian religious organization. ...

Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' in front of others, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. - (Matthew 6:1)

Judaism

Main article: Tzedakah

In the Jewish tradition, charity represented by tzedakah, justice, and the poor are entitled to charity as a matter of right rather than benevolence. Contemporary charity is regarded as a continuation of the Biblical Maaser Ani, or poor-tithe, as well as Biblical practices including permitting the poor to glean the corners of a field, harvest during the Shmita (Sabbatical year), and other practices. Voluntary charity, along with prayer and repentance, is regarded as ameliorating the consequences of bad acts. Tzedakah (Hebrew: צדקה) in Judaism, is the Hebrew term most commonly translated as charity, though it is based on a root meaning justice .(צדק). Judaism is very tied to the concept of tzedakah, or charity, and the nature of Jewish giving has created a North American Jewish community that is very philanthropic. ... Tzedakah (Hebrew: צדקה) in Judaism, is the Hebrew term most commonly translated as charity, though it is based on a root meaning justice .(צדק). Judaism is very tied to the concept of tzedakah, or charity, and the nature of Jewish giving has created a North American Jewish community that is very philanthropic. ... Maaser Ani, or the Poor tithe, reflects an obligation to set aside one tenth of produce grown in the third and sixth years of the seven-year Shemita (Sabbatical year) agricultural cycle for the poor, in the days of the Temple in Jerusalem. ... The Shemitah (in Hebrew: שְׁמִטָּה -- [Year of] Remission) or Sabbatical Year, promulgated in the Torah, is a practice of contemporary Orthodox Judaism with Biblical roots. ...

Notes

1. ^ Thanissaro (2001).[1] Almsgiving is also commended by the Buddha in a less prominent way in various other canonical texts such as the Dighajanu Sutta.
2. ^ Nyanatiloka (1980), entry for "dāna"[2].
3. ^ Nyanatiloka (1980), entry for "dāna"[3]; and, PTS (1921-25), entry for "Puñña" (merit)[4].
4. ^ Tsongkhapa & Berzin (2001), verse 15.
5. ^ In Pali, this line is: "Sabba danam, Dhamma danam jinati." This line can be found in the Dhammapada, Chapter 24, verse 354. Thanissaro (1997)[5] translates this entire verse as:

   A gift of Dhamma conquers all gifts;

   the taste of Dhamma, all tastes;

   a delight in Dhamma, all delights;

   the ending of craving, all suffering

   & stress.

The Dighajanu Sutta, also known as Byagghapajja Sutta and Vyagghapajja Sutta, is part of the Anguttara Nikaya (AN 8. ... The Dhammapada (Pali, translates as Path of the Dharma. ...

Bibliography

• Nyanatiloka Mahathera (4^th ed., 1980). Buddhist Dictionary: Manual of Buddhist Terms and Doctrines. Kandy, Sri Lanka:Buddhist Publication Society. ISBN 955-24-0019-8. Available on-line at: http://www.budsas.org/ebud/bud-dict/dic_idx.htm.

• Pali Text Society (PTS) (1921-1925). The Pali Text Society's Pali-English dictionary. London: Chipstead. Available on-line at: http://dsal.uchicago.edu/dictionaries/pali/.

• Thanissaro Bhikkhu (trans.) (1997). Tanhavagga: Craving (Dhp XXIV). Available on-line at: http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/dhp/dhp.24.than.html.

• Thanissaro Bhikkhu (trans.) (2001). The Group of Fours (Itivuttaka 4). Available on-line at: http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/iti/iti.4.100-112.than.html.

• Tsongkhapa & Alexander Berzin (trans.) (2001). The Abbreviated Points of the Graded Path. Available on-line at: http://www.berzinarchives.com/sutra/sutra_level_2/abbrev_lamrim.html.

The Buddhist Publication Society is a charity which goal is to explain and spread the doctrine of the Buddha. ... The Pali Text Society was founded in 1881 by T.W. Rhys Davids to foster and promote the study of Pali texts. Pali is the language in which the texts of the Theravada school of Buddhism is preserved. ... Thanissaro Bhikkhu (Geoffrey DeGraff) (1949 - ) is an American Buddhist monk of the Thai forest kammatthana tradition. ... The Dhammapada (Pali, translates as Path of the Dharma. ... The Gelug School Je Tsongkhapa, whose name means The Man from Onion Valley, also known as Je Rinpoche and by his ordained name Lobsang Drakpa, is recorded as the founder of the Gelugpa school in Tibetan Buddhism. ...

External links

Islamic

• All about Zakat and many benefits of paying it

Buddhist

• "The Morning Alms Round," article by Richard Barrow at ThaiBuddhist.com.

these are the most things that happen during puberty In modern usage, the practice of charity means the giving of help to those in need. ... Philanthropy is the act of donating money, goods, time, or effort to support a charitable cause, usually over an extended period of time and in regard to a defined objective. ... Tzedakah (Hebrew: צדקה) in Judaism, is the Hebrew term most commonly translated as charity, though it is based on a root meaning justice .(צדק). Judaism is very tied to the concept of tzedakah, or charity, and the nature of Jewish giving has created a North American Jewish community that is very philanthropic. ... This is a sub-article of Islamic economical jurisprudence. ... For the ethical doctrine, see Altruism (ethics). ... Love gift Man presents a cut of meat to a youth with a hoop. ... Donation is a gift to a fund or cause, typically for charitable reasons. ... Alternative giving or virtual giving is a form of gift giving where the donor, instead of buying a gift for the recipient, makes a donation to a charitable organization in the recipient’s name and the organization provides a certificate or card for the recipient. ... A non-governmental organization (NGO) is a private institution that is independent of the government although many NGOs, particular in the global South, are funded by Northern governments. ... A charitable trust is a trust established for charitable purposes. ... A charitable foundation is a legal categorization of nonprofit organizations that either donate funds and support to other organizations, or provide the sole source of funding for their own activities. ... A non-profit organization (abbreviated NPO, or non-profit or not-for-profit) is an organization whose primary objective is to support an issue or matter of private interest or public concern for non-commercial purposes, without concern for monetary profit. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Nonprofit. ... Charity Navigator is an independent, non-profit organization that evaluates American charities. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Charity badge - a widget used on web-sites, blogs, social networks or e-mail for promotion of some humanitarian initiative, mainly gathering donation for charity projects. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, or reputation to a charitable cause. ... Charitable contribution deductions for United States Federal Income Tax purposes are defined in section 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code as contributions to or for the use of certain listed nonprofit enterprises. ...