Editing Mendicant (section)

==Buddhism==
[[File:Mendicant monk in Lhasa, 1993.jpg|thumb|right|Mendicant monk reciting scriptures in Lhasa, Tibet, 1993]]

[[Buddhism]] is one of several religious traditions of ancient India that has an established practice of mendicancy. [[Bhikkhu|Monks]] of the [[Theravada]] traditions in Southeast Asia continue to practice alms round ([[Sanskrit]] and [[Pali]]: ''piṇḍapāta'') as laid down by the [[Buddha]]. Food is procured from the [[upasaka|faithful]] and divided equally among all members of the [[Sangha]].

A major difference between Buddhist and Christian mendicancy is the understanding of [[manual labor]] as a means of support. While many Buddhist communities formulated [[Samu (Zen)|limited forms of labor]] for monks, there also exists the understanding that a Buddhist monk must remain aloof from secular affairs.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Borchert |first1=Thomas |title=Monastic Labor: Thinking about the Work of Monks in Contemporary Theravāda Communities |journal=Journal of the American Academy of Religion |date=2011 |volume=79 |issue=1 |pages=162–192 |jstor=23020390 |doi=10.1093/jaarel/lfq035 }}</ref> Many of these rules of decorum and acceptable livelihood are preserved in the [[Vinaya]] literature of several schools. The Sangha's immersion into the work of laymen and laywomen is also believed to be a sign of impending [[disaster|calamity]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Cowell |first1=E. B. |title=The Jataka, Vol. IV |date=1901 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |chapter-url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/bud/j4/j4033.htm |chapter=No. 469.: Mahā-Kaṇha-Jātaka}}</ref>

===Theravada===
[[File:Luang Prabang Takuhatsu ルアンパバーン 托鉢 DSCF7017.JPG|thumb|right|A young layperson providing monks with alms]]

[[Patimokkha|Buddhist code of monastic discipline]] details the code of behavior and livelihood for monks and nuns, including several details on how mendicancy is to be practiced. Traditionally, mendicants relied on what have been termed the "four requisites" for survival: [[food]], [[clothing]], [[lodging]], and [[health care|medicine]]. As stated in the Theravada Vinaya:<ref>{{cite book |last1=Bhikkhu Ariyesako |title=The Bhikkhus Rules: A Guide for Laypeople |date=1998 |publisher=Sanghaloka Forest Hermitage |chapter-url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/buddhism/book/the-bhikkhus-rules/d/doc1739.html |chapter=Possessions And Offerings}}</ref>
<blockquote>
"Properly considering the robe, I use it: simply to ward off cold, to ward off heat, to ward off the touch of flies, mosquitoes, simply for the purpose of covering the parts of the body that cause shame.

"Properly considering almsfood, I use it: not playfully, nor for intoxication, nor for putting on weight, nor for beautification; but simply for the survival and continuance of this body, for ending its afflictions, for the support of the chaste life, (thinking) I will destroy old feelings (of hunger) and not create new feelings (from overeating). Thus I will maintain myself, be blameless, and live in comfort.

"Properly considering the lodging, I use it: simply to ward off cold, to prevent sunburn, to ward off the touch of flies, mosquitoes, wind, sun and reptiles; simply for protection from the [[Severe weather|inclemencies of weather]] and for the enjoyment of [[seclusion]].

"Properly considering medicinal requisites for curing the sick, I use them: simply to ward off any pains of illness that have arisen and for the maximum freedom from disease."
</blockquote>

In addition, a monk's personal property was also limited. The Theravada tradition recognizes eight requisites ({{langx|pi|aññha parikkhàra}}):<ref>{{cite web |title=The Eight Requisites |url=https://www.buddhisma2z.com/content.php?id=340 |website=Guide To Buddhism A To Z |access-date=2019-12-17}}</ref>
#[[Kasaya (clothing)#Uttarāsaṅga|Uttarāsaṅga (outer robe)]]
#[[Kasaya (clothing)#Antarvāsa (Antaravāsaka)|Antarvāsa (inner robe)]]
#[[Kasaya (clothing)#Saṃghāti|Saṃghāti (double robe)]]
#an alms bowl
#a razor for shaving
#a needle and thread
#a belt
#a water strainer

Commentarial literature provides additional possessions based on circumstance.

===Japanese Buddhism===
Similar to the development of [[Buddhism in China]], the [[Buddhism in Japan|Japanese]] did not frequently engage in alms round as was done in the Buddha's time. Monasteries would receive donations of land that were worked by peasant farmers which provided regular communal meals for residing monks.

Nevertheless, piṇḍapāta is occasionally practiced in [[Japan]], primarily within [[Zen Buddhism]]. Monks who engage in alms round tend to wear a [[Asian conical hat|bamboo hat]], white leggings and straw sandals as traditionally worn by itinerant monks ({{langx|ja|行脚僧|translit=angyasō|label=none}}). When going for alms in groups, the monks will form a line and wander through the town shouting the phrase ''hōu'' ({{langx|ja|法雨|lit=rain of [[Dharma]]|label=none}}) to announce their presence.<ref>{{cite web |title=托鉢 |url=http://www.buddhism-dict.net/cgi-bin/xpr-ddb.pl?q=%E6%89%98%E9%89%A2 |website=Digital Dictionary of Buddhism |access-date=2019-12-16 |url-access=subscription}}</ref>