Mendicant

Professor Giacomo Todeschini at the University of Trieste has described these mendicants in the following way:[1] "The choice to be poor was realized in a series of gestures: abandonment of one's paternal house, a wandering life, ragged appearance and clothes, manual work as scullery-man and mason, and begging without shame.

Another example was Johnny Appleseed, a Swedenborgian itinerant preacher who would eventually rise to the status of American folk hero.

Monks of the Theravada traditions in Southeast Asia continue to practice alms round (Sanskrit and Pali: piṇḍapāta) as laid down by the Buddha.

"Properly considering medicinal requisites for curing the sick, I use them: simply to ward off any pains of illness that have arisen and for the maximum freedom from disease."

The Theravada tradition recognizes eight requisites (Pali: aññha parikkhàra):[5] Commentarial literature provides additional possessions based on circumstance.

Similar to the development of Buddhism in China, the Japanese did not frequently engage in alms round as was done in the Buddha's time.

Monasteries would receive donations of land that were worked by peasant farmers which provided regular communal meals for residing monks.

When going for alms in groups, the monks will form a line and wander through the town shouting the phrase hōu (法雨, 'rain of Dharma') to announce their presence.

[6] Among Muslims, especially in Northern Nigeria, there are mendicants called Almajiri who are mostly children between the age of 5 to 18 years that are studying Qur'an in cities while begging to get sustenance.