Template:More citations needed Bhiksha is a Sanskrit term for the act of begging or asking.[1] In indigenous Indian religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, bhiksha most commonly refers to food obtained by asking for alms.
Bhiksha signifies a Hindu tradition of begging 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 dan (an unreciprocated gift to someone in need).[2]
Usually, bhiksha is the meal served to a sadhu 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 Brahmins in exchange for Karmkand.
References
- ↑ A Sanskrit-English Dictionary{{#if:Monier-Williams|, Monier-Williams}. Bharatiya Granth Niketan(2007). ISBN 978-81-89211-00-4
- ↑ Giving and Taking without Reciprocity: Conversations in South India and the Anthropology of Ethics. Social Analysis: The International Journal of Social and Cultural Practice({Template:Date).