pindapinda

Pindapinda, also known as Pindapata or almsround, is a Buddhist tradition in which a monastic, typically a monk or nun, collects food and other essential items from laypeople in the community. This daily ritual is based on the teachings of the Buddha, who considered it essential for the renouncer to live on the charity of others.

The pindapinda tradition developed in ancient India, where Buddhist monks would go from door to door in the morning to collect food, clothing, and other necessary items for the day. This practice serves several purposes. Firstly, it helps to maintain the monastic's level of detachment from worldly wealth and possessions. Secondly, it promotes harmony and understanding between the monastic community and the lay community. The act of giving in return for Buddhist teachings and blessings also strengthens the bonds between the two groups.

In many Buddhist traditions, monastics engage in pindapinda by carrying a bowl and walking through the streets, receiving offerings of food and items from the local people. In exchange, they may recite blessings or provide teachings on Buddhist principles. The food collected during pindapinda is typically food which has been considered the most desirable in that community, as a sign of respect and appreciation for the work of the monastics. On return, the monastic's share is often divided into several portions for the monastic's daily needs, distribution to other monastics, the local community for sharing and lastly into several offerings in monasteries to gods and other monks.

Through this practice, Buddhist monastics aim to cultivate compassion, humility, and simplicity, while living in harmony with the needs and values of the community. The pindapinda custom has been adopted and modified in various forms, reflecting local traditions and cultures.