Indulging in Charity: Is it a Noble Cause?
Charity begins at home it is said. But, do we practise it? Yes, there are times, when we see that beggar on the road and our heart may go out for that sickly looking, tattered clothed woman and the malnutritioned baby In her arms. We might even stop and drop that little coin in her dirty palm. Does it help the woman? Does it help us? More than anything else, is doing charity a noble cause, a deed done to serve humanity or build up your good karma? Or, is it just a superficial act to satiate your ego? Whatever it may be, does it serve any good or healthy purpose? Or does it do more harm than good?
Is charity an egoistic run?
There are innumerable people who believe that by doing some charity they are washing their sins away. You will find many such people in orphanages and ashrams donating huge sums for their children’s birthdays or their wedding anniversaries. But, how many of them do this from their hearts? I have seen many such people dressed very well (unmindful of the fact that the people they are going to serve food are destitutes who cannot in the world imagine for the kind of clothing and jewelry that these benefactors are wearing). It is not always that the donation or the ‘annadaanam’ is done with a humble attitude. But then, this isn’t exactly a topic about attitude is it? It is about the very act of charity itself. Is it needed? Is it a healthy trend? Would you do it?
The very same people who wouldn’t mind giving money to an orphanage, old age home or ashram will not always behave in a charitable manner in their homes. I am not generalizing. There are people who will give charity and then grumble that their problems still continue despite the ‘noble act.’ The very fact that you are doing a good deed expecting a good thing to happen to you in return makes the action itself a selfish act. And when you are selfish how can you expect its consequence to benefit you? Most of us lead lives of expectation. No wonder, we get disappointed, disillusioned and cynical easily. Charity seems okay when done to help someone really in need. When it is done to blow up you ego then it serves no purpose. Right?
Those not indulging in charity of any kind have their side of the argument with the fact that there are lots of people who do not really need help but have made begging their profession. Even if they are hale and hearty they want to find an easy way out to survive in life. And begging seems that easy option. Secondly, it is said that it is difficult to judge who really is in need and who is not. So, why take a risk? So, don’t be charitable, they say. Thirdly, helping beggars and institutions that live off charity is encouraging them to live life without self-respect, by cheating others. So, why encourage them? Just stay off them, is what they eventually say.
I know it is difficult to judge as to who really needs your charity and who doesn’t. We hear of several cases where there are gangs of such people (whether as individuals/groups or as institutions) who intentionally drug their little babies to gain the sympathy of others. In such a scenario, many people would like to take the safe route out and not indulge in any charity at all. Why get cheated or feel having been made a fool of, they say.
So, what do you say about charity? Do you tend to drop that coin when you see someone begging just in case the person was really in need? Or do you stay wary of charity? Which attitude do you think is right? And why?
The only way to approach charity is to give without any expectation of a return, divine or otherwise! Great blog, Shail.
I don't give money to children as I feel they will be trapped in this occupation because of their greedy guardians.If I have fruit or food in the car, I will give that, but money-never!
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Hi Beyniaz. Nice attitude about charity. Giving food and fruits is indeed a good and healthy way to do a good deed, to ward off hunger for such people and also not encourage begging.
Nice that you liked the blog.
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Shail,
The very act of giving alms can induce different reactions in different people. Many indulge in charity, to "protect" themselves from bad karma, and to "increase" their good karma! - Actually, they are incurring a sin of NOT BEING TRUE TO THEMSELVES! The motive of charity should be purely to help the other person, and also, when we help, we should NEVER advertise the fact that we have helped, as it defeats the very purpose - and builds up our ego in the process.... A good, thought provoking blog, Shail.
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Thanks Om. Nice that you liked the blog on charity. Yes, it is a pity really that most of us indulge in charity hoping that we will be rewarded in return either with material gain or gratitude. Both expectations are wrong.
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Interesting one on Charity. Many beggars in cities have become very rich as they encash on the sentiments of people. I have seen beggars changing clothes before taking up 'duty'. Many beggars in Bombay earn around Rs.2000 per day.(That too tax free). They also tarnish the image of our country. Many foreign tourists are chased by these beggars. Government must take strict action against these beggars and punish them. They donot want to take up employment as they find begging to be more convenient option.
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Thanks Hari for your views. Yes, many beggars do make begging their profession but most of them are a deprived lot. Not finding any solace anywhere from society they have to resort to begging to survive. During the course of time, they get influenced by other negative tendencies and then, it is only a matter of time before it gets downhill for them.
If only we had something, some law that helps the unemployed and the disabled on the roads. Then, they would not resort to begging as a job.
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You always bring up such thought-provoking blogs, Shail. Well, many a times the money given to so called beggars are used for buying beedis, etc. I remember one incident where my mother gave a packet of Parle G biscuits and a cup of tea to a brother-sister duo on a railway station platform. The contentment was immense.
I've had some experiences with charity, and quite sadly, some of them really do not use the money for the cause. The reach is not there. Meanwhile, sometimes I do give money to people who seem old and genuine- most of the times I go with my gut instinct. And there are times when I buy some food for them, which has always been better.
By the way, I need to mention this, as you'd said, I went through your poems and LOVED Will My Wishes suffice? and My father's daughter. You have an amazing skill with the pen!
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Yes, it is always the gut feeling that provokes most of us to give money or not to beggars on the road. But, I think giving them food as you sometimes do is always better. After all, the money that they receive from us is mainly to fill their stomachs or their families'. But sometimes, it is difficult to judge.
Thanks Sneha for the compliment. Nice that you like my blogs including the poetry.
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In my car, I always keep a small basket of biscuits and toffees…and these I give to the little beggar children who crowd around at the traffic signals. A friend once remarked, “So, you’re ensuring your place in heaven!” All I could say was, “I’m not sure, where I’ll do after I die. But, just watching their face light up with a smile is my heaven here on earth.”
BTW…I marvel at your mind and the thoughts that are thrown up by it
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Thanks Mita. Lovely that you enjoy reading my blogs.
As far as charity is concerned, yes, the satisfaction that one gets when a person is need is given food by us is just beautiful. When we are blessed with the basics of life it really feels good to share something with the deprived.
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Sorry Shail, about your poem, I meant A daughter's father
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That's okay Sneha. Slip of the tongue eh keyboard!
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Yes, it seems like a slip of the keyboard
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Thanks Sneha. Who says poetry is a dying art. As long as there are enthusiastic and encouraging people like you poetry writing will still flourish!
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Absolutely, Shail
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I know Sneha. I was told the same thing when I was much younger. Even to the extent that writing will get you nowhere. So, you can very well understand how I started out!
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A very nice blog, Shail. I suppose another motive for charity could be a sense of guilt.
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Thanks Padma. Yes, sometimes, people use this hardly positive emotion to indulge in a wee bit of charity. Helps keep bad memories at bay. But, it never quite helps eventually because one gets the wrong concept of helping others. Something like, whenever in guilt - donate!
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A thought provoking blog from Shail as usual. We are not the type to encourage beggary. This may be right or wrong.
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Thanks Vimala. Nice that you liked the blog.
We never realize it when we might be encouraging begging. That's why the cynical and hesitant behaviour in giving alms to the poor on the roads. We never know who really deserves it and who doesn't. No one really wants to encourage begging do they?
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Again an unusual topic and a great write up Shail all ripe for an active debate.
I am guilty of not 'dropping' any coins if I possibly can only cos I feel by giving in to them I am encouraging them to continue begging ......I am taking away their initiative to do anything else- to work or earn their living or whatever.
My bit towards the eradication of 'begging' perhaps!If that is ever possible, that is !
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Thanks Sreelata. Yes, sometimes, even I feel the same that's why I agree with what some of our friends like Beyniaz, Mita and Sneha do by giving food or fruits. That is a better way of helping them.
But, then, we don't always carry food with us. We could buy it but as usual there are justifications galore about giving or not giving alms!
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Like a coin and like every other matter, Charity has the two sides. Damn the negative side where, we see NGOs begging money, people donating for the sake of earning respect and fame. Let them keep doing what they're doing. Even let us not bother about the 'feeling' with what they are donating, rather let's just focus on, they're doing it.
Like you've mentioned, Shail, I too have seen people donating with a cause and not for a cause! They would donate to a big NGO just because their donation act will be recognized by the media and by leading people. They won't donate to a small NGO, or for that matter, directly to donee, because no one would notice them doing it! Now, like you've asked through many questions, the same question come across, is it the donation or the medium to satisfy ego, name and fame? It's everything, rather.
you must be aware about people donating for a new school, only if their parents' name is given to that new school! But let's take a look at positive side of this issue. Many innocent kids will get education this way, right? Let's forget the ego which was behind this donation and concentrate on the cause it is serving.
When it's about charity, huge temple associations in INDIA eat up crores of rupees. Heard of Tirupati? Heard of ISKCON? Do I need to list more of them? Everybody knows that the Swamis of such temple organization live a luxurious life. But let's forget that and concentrate on the kind of services they're doing for the society.
This topic is endless, Shail but I've a question for you, have you ever donated to anybody, any trust or anyhow? If yes, how has been the experience? If no, how can you write on this topic?
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Thanks for commenting Devang. Coming straight to the query you have asked me: Yes, I have donated. And like any other normal person it made me feel good especially because my son was feeding the orphan children on his birthday.
And even if I hadn't donated, I definitely would have an idea about it. After all, I don't go through all the topics that I write about but think and feel about them all the same!!
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A thought provoking blog indeed. We often give for the wrong reasons. Charity is a tricky subject - does it have to be from the heart, or just from the wallet, just a feel-good gesture? Mmmmm...
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Thanks Irene. Charity is indeed a 'tricky' subject as you mentioned.
Very few amongst us are really concerned about giving from the heart. For most of us busy-bees, it is a 'just from the wallet' kind of thing. Yes, there are some who do it to 'feel good' but the genuine helping people are few.
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thanks Shail for such a wonderful thought.I solely believe in Danam Supatram,i.e.the one who really needs. For example I visit kushth asharams once in a year whereas, I hardly believe in street beggers
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Nice Deepika that you liked the blog. That's a very nice thing that you do about visiting kushth ashrams. Not many people will do it. God bless.
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You know,I have seen begging in Australia. And they do it for drugs; not for reasons of poverty. I wouldn't part a cent for those beggars. But for the ones here, that's a different story.
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It is a real pity when people beg for things other than survival like drugs that you mentioned. In India, as you mentioned Indrani, it is indeed a different story altogether although we do have many cases where persons beg because it seems the most easiest thing to do.
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Good blog Shail. I believe that anything given with ulterior motives isn't charity. The term is used loosely for any sort of extended help.Whatever action expects a return of some sort is more of a payment than charity. We must give wisely first and foremost and with absolutely no strings attached, no expectations and no feelings of self-righteousness.
It's a tough thing to expect from oneself but that's what charity is about. The rest are trying to buy good in return.
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Thanks Joy. True, charity is a very misunderstood word. Most of us indulge in it with 'strings attached' as you rightly mentioned. No wonder, charity does not seem to help much since most of us have our own agendas while extending help.
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Charity for return of goodness is not an appreciable act. Charity done for the sheer feeling of being helpful to mankind to a less privileged individual is what I think it should be. Having said that I do no encourage nor practice begging on the roads , if at all we need to give something give it in kind not money. Food, clothes etc. This way we don't encourage laziness and begging as a lucrative profession.
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Firstly, what a pleasant surprise to see you here!
Agree with your views on charity. Many of or 4iw friends feel the same. We definitely must not encourage begging but we never know who really is in desperate need and who isn't it. Right?
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Charity begins at home is what moi has always been taught and that charity is good. But in today's society we need to understand who really needs charity and is it justified that we are lending a helping hand where it is actually necessary and not to the ones who make a living out of easy money.
Rgds Jess
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True Jess. Charity indeed begins at home. But, it is difficult to judge who really needs (money) and who doesn't. So most of us to be on the safe side either don't give anyone or to be true to our conscience give all.
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Charity is a double edged sword.Sometimes it cuts woes and sometimes wallets.
If someone feels guilt free after charity - nothing wrong with that.If the money reaches the right hands even better.If not,at least you have given something instead of asking and seeking all the time.
Even better if you can teach em how to fish,he will take care of himself for the rest of his life.But not doing anything..even when it is well withing your reach - is not cool.
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Hi Gyan. Your reply is a 'cool' one so to say. Yes, all the reasons mentioned by you are indeed some of the causes of charity giving. Yes, even when we can help most of us opt out due to our cynical natures.
I like your fishing as a charity venture suggestion though!
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