Ancient Indian Education (Brahmanical and Buddhist) c23.3

c23.3

Begging for food was thus an institution common to both the Brahmanical and Buddhist systems of training. There is, however, seen a difference in the manner prescribed for the begging. While the Brahmachārin was allowed to ask for alms by words specially specified, as we have seen, the Buddhist Bhikkhu must beg in silence [cf. *Mil. P.*, iv, 5, 31], so as to give the laity an opportunity of giving him food and doing a meritorious act. It can hardly be called "begging" in the modern sense of the term.