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Dharma-Mārga ( Ācāra-Samhitā)
245
Fifty Three Charity
1. Charity is said to be of four kinds, viz., that of food, that
of medicines, that of scriptural teaching and that of assurance of protection to all living beings. According to the code of conduct of householders ( Upāsakādhyayana Sūtra ), this four-fold charity is declared worthy of performance.
- Vasu. Śrā. 233 2. A house-holder who eats after giving alms to monks enjoys
the best material comforts and will gradually obtain the bliss of emancipation. Such is the preaching of the Jina.
--- Ra. Sā. 22
3. Of all kinds of charity, the charity of giving protection to
living beings in fear of death is known as Abhayadāna. which is supreme amongst all charities.
— Vasu. Śrā. 238
4. Charity is the most important virtue of every laity.
- Ra. Sā. 11
5. A selfless donor ( alms-giver ) and a detached monk, who
practises faultless begging both are rare. Both, selfless donor and a detached monk; eventually acquire noble birth.
— Daśāśru. Sū. 5.1.100
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