ABSTRACT
The Jain philosophy depicts the living principles through Jaina ethics, ahimsa (non-violence) and aparigraha (non-possession or limit on possessions) as pillars of Jainism. Aparigraha encouraged chaturvidha daan – ahaar-daan (gift of food), Aushadh daan (gift of medicines), Abhaya daan (gift of shelter for protection), Shastra daan (gift of books to impart knowledge). From the ancient period, Jain temples were centres of education, culture, and charity houses. Some pilgrim centres are established as mutts looked after by bhattarakas maintaining the number of dharmashalas for the monks, nuns, and pilgrims. The chapter captures the Jaina way of doing anna-daan and its significance from the Jainism spiritual point of view, further supported by case studies.
