Takuhatsu is one of the religious austerities of a Buddhism priest.
In Japan, the priest who stands on the street corner wearing such clothes is seen occasionally.
In short, the religious austerities which this priest performs is "a beggar."
This "Takuhatsu[托鉢]" is a traditional form of alms, common to Buddhist monks in Japan.
In the practice of takuhatsu, monks travel to various businesses and residences in order to exchange chanting of sutras in Sino-Japanese[generating merit] for donations of food and money.
Monks never beg at temples, shrines, churches, schools, government offices or hospitals.
Monks generally wear traditional takuhatsu clothes reminiscent of medieval Japan and wear the names of their monasteries on their satchels to confirm their identities.
The system that is used by Zen monks who are in training, to beg for their food.
This is generally done in groups of ten to fifteen.
The group goes through the street single-file, chanting "Ho" (meaning Dharma), and sympathizers come down and fill their alms bowls.
This is the monks offering of the Dharma and their lives of guardians of the Dharma to the people.
According to Zen tradition, the givers should be grateful.
Takuhatsu is one of the general religious acts of India.
Originally, the Buddhism of Japan was transmitted by India by way of China.
In India, the person practicing asceticism[Buddhism priest] is forbidden from getting money by labor.
The person practicing asceticism has to live only by the almsgiving from a believer.
But, climate of India is temperate and food etc. is abundant rich countries.
Therefore, this asceticism will be possible.
So, While Buddhism got across to China and Japan, the life of only religious mendicancy was eased.
Takuhatsu which does Fuse[offering to a priest] each other.
In the basic morality law of India that is before the Buddhism, there is an idea "It is a natural obligation that gives to the person whom the person who has it doesn't have" and "It is a natural right that receives giving from the person of the person who doesn't have it".
This act that each performs mutually is called "Fuse or O-Fuse" in Japan.
By the way, About the priest in the first photograph of this page,...He was very very stinking.
Probably they will hardly take a bath.
I was afflicted by the bad smell while hearing the Buddhism phrase from him.
Because of the bad smell, the feeling of my thanks became very small.
by Hararie
