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the recipient. Food and medicines are essential for the growth and maintenance of body. They are needed for sustenance of life. Jain monks do not indulge in worldly activities such as earning livelihood, cooking and shopping. The householders provide them with food and shelter. The monks accept these materials from the householders according to the rules set in the scriptures. Providing books and other means for enhancing their knowledge of the scriptures to monks as well as to householders constitutes the gift of knowledge. Householders need to have a proper education for earning their livelihood and become productive members of society. Thus supporting schools, colleges and universities is also a gift of knowledge.
Delivering protection and freedom from fear is essential for the wellbeing, of men and women. This concept is extended to all living beings. It not only implies ensuring that we do not deliberately hurt or kill any form of life, but it also entails conservation of natural resources and protection of the environment. Further, to effect freedom from fear and suspicion, it is essential to establish an atmosphere of understanding and trust among men and women. As mentioned earlier, charity is for the mutual welfare of all. Therefore, this kind of charity is most august.
Describing the unique features of charity, Acharya Umaswati says: विधिद्रव्यदातृपात्रविशेषात्तद्विशेषः (7-39) VIDHIDRAVYADAATRIPAATRAVISHESHAATTADVISHESHAH
Jain Education International
Charity is distinguished by procedure, material, donor and recipient. Qualities of a Donor
In PURUSHAARTH SIDDHYUPAAYA, Acharya Amrit Chandra Suri has described the qualities of a donor as follows :1
1. A donor has no desire for reward
or compensation of any kind such as fame and fortune, profit and prosperity.
A donor maintains composure if things do not go as planned.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
A donor is sincere. He does not indulge in complicity to circumvent the rules established by society and government.
A donor refrains from envy and competition.
A donor has no feelings of remorse or guilt. Once the donation is made, he/she is totally unconcerned about its quality and value.
A donor does not have the feelings of exhilaration. A donor is modest. He/she understands that the material being donated does not belong exclusively to him/her.
1. ऐहिकफलानुपेक्षा क्षान्तिर्निष्कपटतानसूयत्वम् । अविषादत्विमुदित्वे निरहङ्कारित्वमिति हि दातृगुणाः ।169 ।
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