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{{Short description|
{{other uses}}
[[File:Thorma Alms.jpg|thumb|Woman giving alms by [[János Thorma]]]]
'''Alms''' ({{IPAc-en|ɑː|m|z|}}, {{IPAc-en|ɑː|l|m|z|}}) are money, food, or other material goods donated to people living in [[poverty]].<ref>{{Cite Merriam-Webster|alms}}</ref><ref>{{Cite Dictionary.com|alms}}</ref> Providing alms is often considered an act of
== Etymology ==
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=== ''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}}):
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=== 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}}
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# 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 ===
▲[[File:Almsbowl2.jpg|thumb|Alms bowl as used by [[bhikkhus]] for going on an alms round]]
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|
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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>
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== Christianity ==
[[File:Codex Tennenbach 4 017r.jpg|thumb|[[Clare of Assisi|St. Clare]] distributes alms; Tennenbach Codex 4, illustrated before {{circa|1492}}]]
In Christianity, the giving of alms is viewed as an act of [[Charity (practice)|charity]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Alms and Almsgiving (in the Bible) {{!}} Encyclopedia.com|url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/religion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/alms-and-almsgiving-bible|access-date=2021-09-18|website=www.encyclopedia.com}}</ref> In the [[Apostolic age]], [[Christians]] were taught that giving alms was an expression of love. Such care for the poor was to be understood as love for God, who, in the person of [[Jesus|Jesus Christ]], sacrificed himself for the salvation of believers.{{efn|[[Epistle of James|James]] 1:27 (NIV) "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."}}
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=== In Eastern Christianity ===
In the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]] and the [[Eastern Catholic Churches]], the collection of alms and tithes has not been formally united to the offertory in any liturgical action. However, either having a collection plate in the [[narthex]] or passing it unobtrusively during the service is not uncommon. In [[Eastern Orthodox theology]], almsgiving is an important part of the spiritual life, and [[fasting]] should always be accompanied by increased prayer and almsgiving.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Kallistos (Ware) |first1=Bishop |author-link=Timothy Ware |last2=Mary |first2=Mother |year=1978 |publication-date=2002 |title=The Lenten Triodion |pages=35ff |location=South Canaan PA |publisher=St. Tikhon's Seminary Press |isbn=1-878997-51-3}}</ref> Almsgiving in the name of the deceased also frequently accompanies [[prayer for the dead]]. Those whose financial circumstances do not permit the giving of monetary alms may give alms in other ways, such as [[intercessory prayer]] and [[Works of Mercy|acts of mercy]] such as visiting people in prison, clothing the poor or volunteering in soup kitchens.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Matthew 25:36 - The Sheep and the Goats |url=https://biblehub.com/matthew/25-36.htm |access-date=2023-01-02 |website=Bible Hub}}</ref>
=== In the New Testament ===
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Giving should be out of love and not out of duty:
{{blockquote|He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'|{{bibleverse||Matthew|25:45}}}}
Sharing possessions was practised in the church:
{{Blockquote|text=Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common.|multiline=true|source=Acts 4:32}}
{{Blockquote|text=..there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need. Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means "son of encouragement"), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.|source=Acts 4:34-37|multiline=true}}
== Hinduism ==
[[File:
=== ''Dāna'' in Hinduism ===
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== Islam ==
In Islam, the concept of Muhsi or Muhsin alms-giver or charitable giving is generally divided into voluntary giving, ''[[sadaqah|ṣadaqah]]'' ({{lang|ar|صدقة}}), and an obligatory practice, the ''[[zakat|zakāh]]'' ({{lang|ar|الزكاة}}). ''
=== ''Zakat'' ===
{{main|Zakat}}
''
This category of people is defined in [[At-Tawbah]]:
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=== ''Sadaqah'' ===
{{main|Sadaqah}}
A pious person may also give alms as much as he or she pleases as ''
{{blockquote|The [[Muhammad|Messenger of Allah]] said: "Every good is charity. Indeed among the good is to meet your brother with a smiling face, and to pour what is left in your bucket into the vessel of your brother."|[[Jamiʽ at-Tirmidhi]] 27.76, hadith compiled by [[Al-Tirmidhi]]<ref>{{Cite book |last=Ibn ‛Isa at-Tirmidhi |first=Muhammad, Imam |author-link=Al-Tirmidhi |year=1970 |title=Jamiʽ at-Tirmidhi |url=https://sunnah.com/tirmidhi/27/76 |via=Sunnah.com}}</ref>}}
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* [[Mendicant]]
* [[Meshulach]]
* [[Pittance]]
* [[Qard al-Hassan]]
* [[Satuditha]]
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