Editing Alms (section)

== Buddhism ==
[[File:Three monks chanting in Lhasa, 1993.jpg|thumb|Three monks seeking alms in [[Lhasa]], Tibet in 1993.]]

=== ''Dāna'' in Buddhism===
{{main|Dāna#Buddhism|Satuditha}}
In [[Buddhism]], both "almsgiving" and "giving" are called "[[Dana (Buddhism)|dāna]]" ([[Pāli]]).<ref>Nyanatiloka (1980), entry for "dāna". [http://www.budsas.org/ebud/bud-dict/dic3_d.htm Budsas.org] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070219163600/http://www.budsas.org/ebud/bud-dict/dic3_d.htm |date=2007-02-19 }}</ref> Such giving is one of the three elements of the path of practice as formulated by the [[Gautama Buddha|Buddha]] for [[Householder (Buddhism)|laypeople]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-05-26|title=Buddha Purnima 2021: Date, significance and importance of the day|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/life-style/buddha-purnima-2021-date-significance-and-importance-7303079/|access-date=2021-09-18|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref> This path of practice for laypeople is [[Dana (Buddhism)|dāna]], [[Śīla|sīla]], and [[Bhavana|bhāvanā]].<ref>Nyanatiloka (1980), entry for "dāna" [http://www.budsas.org/ebud/bud-dict/dic3_d.htm Budsas.org] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070219163600/http://www.budsas.org/ebud/bud-dict/dic3_d.htm |date=2007-02-19 }}; and, PTS (1921–25), entry for "Puñña" (merit)[https://archive.today/20120707184520/http://dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/philologic/getobject.pl?c.2:1:3017.pali Uchicago.edu].</ref>

Generosity towards other sentient beings is also emphasized in Mahayana as one of the perfections ([[paramita]]). As shown in [[Je Tsongkhapa|Lama Tsong Khapa's]] 'The Abbreviated Points of the Graded Path' ({{bo|w=lam-rim bsdus-don}}):

{{poem quote|
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.<ref>Tsongkhapa & Berzin (2001), verse 15.</ref>
}}

The giving of alms is the beginning of one's journey to [[Nirvana (concept)|Nirvana]] ({{langx|pi|nibbana}}). In practice, one can give anything with or without thought for [[Nibbana]]. This would lead to [[saddha|faith]] ({{langx|pi|saddha}}), one [[Five Powers|key power]] ({{langx|pi|bala}}) that one should generate within oneself for the [[Gautama Buddha|Buddha]], [[Dhamma]], and [[Sangha (Buddhism)|Sangha]].

According to the [[Pali canon]]:
{{Blockquote|Of all gifts [alms], the gift of [[Dhamma]] is the highest.|[[Dhammapada|Dhp.]] chapter 24, verse 354){{efn|name=Dhammapada24-354}}}}

=== Intentions for giving ===
The intentions behind giving play an important role in developing spiritual qualities. The [[suttas]] record various motives for exercising generosity. For example, the Anguttara Nikaya (A.iv, 236) enumerates the following eight motives:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/various/wheel367.html|title=Dana: The Practice of Giving|website=www.accesstoinsight.org|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090226044803/http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/various/wheel367.html|archive-date=2009-02-26|access-date=2009-02-22}}</ref>

{{Columns-start}}
{{Column}}
# One gives with annoyance, or as a way of offending the recipient, or with the idea of insulting him.
# Fear also can motivate a person to make an offering.
# One gives in return for a favor done to oneself in the past.
# One also may give with the hope of getting a similar favor for oneself in the future.
# One gives because giving is considered good.
# "I cook, they do not cook. It is not proper for me who cooks not to give to those who do not cook." (i.e. Some give because they are able to do what others cannot.)
# Some give alms to gain a good reputation.
# Still others give alms to adorn and beautify the mind.
{{Column}}
{{lang|pi|
# Asajja danam deti
# Bhaya danam deti
# Adasi me ti danam deti
# Dassati me ti danam deti
# Sadhu danan ti danam deti
# Aham pacami, ime ne pacanti, na arahami pacanto apacantanam adatun ti danam deti
# Imam me danam dadato kalyano kittisaddo abbhuggacchati ti danam deti
# Cittalankara-cittaparikkarattham danam deti
}}
{{Columns-end}}[[File:Almsbowl2.jpg|thumb|Alms bowl as used by [[bhikkhus]] for going on an alms round|124x124px]]
=== In support of Buddhist monks ===
In Buddhism, alms or almsgiving is the respect given by a [[Householder (Buddhism)|lay Buddhist]] to a Buddhist [[bhikkhu|monk]], [[bhikkhuni|nun]], spiritually-developed person or other sentient being. It is not charity as presumed by Western interpreters. It is closer to a symbolic connection to the [[Spirituality|spiritual]] realm and to show humbleness and respect in the presence of the secular society.{{efn|name=Mydans}} The act of almsgiving connects the human to the monk or nun and what he/she represents. As the Buddha has stated:
{{poem quote|
Householders & the homeless or charity [monastics]
in mutual dependence
both reach the true Dhamma....
|[[Itivuttaka]] 4.7<ref>Thanissaro (2001).[http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/iti/iti.4.100-112.than.html#iti-107 Accesstoinsight.org] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061205193400/http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/iti/iti.4.100-112.than.html |date=2006-12-05 }}</ref>{{efn|name=Dighajanu}} }}
[[File:Gift bags and medical kits to be given to monks.jpg|thumb|163x163px|Pre-packaged alms kits can be bought to donate to monks]]
In [[Theravada]] Buddhism, nuns ([[Pāli]]: ''[[bhikkhuni]]s'') and monks ([[Pāli]]: ''[[bhikkhu]]s'') practice ''[[Takuhatsu]]'' (''{{lang|pi|pindacara}}'') where they collect food (''{{lang|pi|piṇḍapāta}}''). This is often perceived as allowing the laypeople to make merit (Pāli: ''[[Merit (Buddhism)|puñña]]''). Money cannot be accepted by a Theravadan Buddhist monk or nun in place of or in addition to food, as the [[Patimokkha]] training rules make it an offense worth forfeiture and confession.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/vin/sv/bhikkhu-pati.html#np-part2|title=Bhikkhu Pāṭimokkha: The Bhikkhus' Code of Discipline|website=www.accesstoinsight.org|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180516103756/https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/vin/sv/bhikkhu-pati.html#np-part2|archive-date=2018-05-16}}</ref>

In countries that follow [[Mahayana]] Buddhism, the practice of ''[[Takuhatsu]]'' has mostly died out. In China, Korea, and Japan, local cultures resisted the idea of giving food to 'begging' clerics, and there was no tradition of gaining 'merit' by donating to practitioners. After periods of persecution, monasteries were situated in remote mountain areas; the distance between the monastery and the nearest towns made this practice impossible. In Japan, the practice of a weekly or monthly [[Takuhatsu]] replaced the daily round. In the Himalayan countries, the large number of ''bhikkhus'' would have made an alms round a heavy burden on families. Competition with other religions for support also made daily practice difficult and even dangerous; the first Buddhist monks in the [[Silla]] dynasty of Korea were said to be beaten due to their minority at the time.{{citation needed|date=June 2012}}