Begging

Talisman

My dad in particular, and several other people who ask me about Buddhism, seem to have a strong aversion to the fact that many Buddhist monks beg as a source of right livelihood. The very name Bhikkhu means beggar. I see it as a necesary part of the path to liberation, since renunciation of worldly existence involves renuciation of worldy livelihood and attachment to career, wealth, money, etc. I try to explain that providing to monks is a source of merit for lay practitioners and that it gives them an opportunity to learn from the monks. But for the most part, they don't understand.

How do you explain this time-honored Buddhist tradition to curious outsiders?

Mountains

It's not at all unique to Buddhist monks. Many monastic traditions relied on outside contributions for their livelihood.

Cloud

Traditional monastic systems in Buddhism are within Buddhist communities, and the lay Buddhists in those communities offer alms (food) to the monks in return for various services and teachings from the local monastery. It's a system designed for mutual benefit.

In the West though, sometimes that's not the case. It will depend entirely upon the specific monastery. Some you have to have money to join and sponsors provide funding for necessities (food, clothing, medicine). Still others continue to require monks go on alms rounds, even when it's not within a Buddhist community.

It also depends on the tradition, so... you really have to get specific and find out about each individual monastery.

devwil

I think more than a couple monasteries throughout history supported themselves by farming. I could be mistaken.

driedleaf

When you are helping out a person in need, you build good karma for helping that person, but if you help out a person who has devoted their life for liberation, you may gain something much greater because they may in turn be helping out countless people escape suffering.

Brian

The semantics and connotations of the word "begging", as understood in English, is probably part of the issue as well.

Yishai

The semantics and connotations of the word "begging", as understood in English, is probably part of the issue as well.

I agree. Westerners also have a big thing for "earning" your living. We have a stigma against giving, for some reason.

SimpleWitness

The semantics and connotations of the word "begging", as understood in English, is probably part of the issue as well.

I agree. Westerners also have a big thing for "earning" your living. We have a stigma against giving, for some reason.

This is also agreeable to me as well. Words are so important as to how people are personified within the English speaking culture. Monks are not beggars in the way the English language would mean it, they work often for what they receive from lay Buddhists. Perhaps not in the same way as a worldling does, but they do work for it fairly. The English word "beggar" is an unfair term for them, in my opinion.

Namaste

frequency86

Isn't that how Christian priests and pastors make their livelihood? Through offerings from church members and the like?

frequency86

I think that's where chriatain church gets their entire budget.

MindGate

Isn't that how Christian priests and pastors make their livelihood? Through offerings from church members and the like?

lol Yep
Although many pastors have other jobs too.

DaltheJigsaw

The semantics and connotations of the word "begging", as understood in English, is probably part of the issue as well.

I agree. Westerners also have a big thing for "earning" your living. We have a stigma against giving, for some reason.

Agreed!