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Alms (/ ɑː m z /, / ɑː l m z /) are money, food, or other material goods donated to people living in poverty. [ 1 ] [ 2 ] Providing alms is often considered an act of charity . The act of providing alms is called almsgiving .
Giving alms to the poor is often considered an altruistic action.. Altruism is the concern for the well-being of others, independently of personal benefit or reciprocity.. The word altruism was popularised (and possibly coined) by the French philosopher Auguste Comte in French, as altruisme, for an antonym of egoism. [1]
A Hindu woman giving alms (painting by Raja Ravi Varma) Charitable giving is the act of donating money, goods, or time to the less fortunate, either directly or through a charitable trust or another worthy cause. [6] Charitable giving as a religious act or duty is referred to as almsgiving or alms.
Dāna is related to and mentioned in ancient texts along with concepts of Paropakāra (परोपकार) which means benevolent deed, helping others; [10] Dakshinā (दक्षिणा) which means fee one can afford; [11] and Bhikshā (भिक्षा), which means alms. [12]
The impotent poor (people who could not work) were to be cared for in an almshouse or a poorhouse. In this way, the law offered relief to people who were unable to work, mainly those who were elderly, blind, or crippled or otherwise physically infirm. [citation needed] The able-bodied poor were to be set to work in a House of Industry.
Almshouses were established from the 10th century in Britain, to provide a place of residence for poor, old, and distressed people. They were sometimes called bede-houses, and the residents were bedesmen or bedeswomen. Bede is the Anglo-Saxon word for prayer, and the almsmen and women were obliged to pray for the founder of the charity. [4]
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An oblation is a solemn offering, sacrifice or presentation to God, to the Church for use in God's service, or to the faithful, such as giving alms to the poor.. The word comes from the Late Latin oblatio (from offerre, oblatum 'to offer'), 'an instance of offering' and by extension 'the thing offered'.