03-19-2007, 09:25 PM
dharma-shAla, sadAvarta, gaushala
dharma shAlAs were community-supported shelters/inns for homeless, travelers, and pilgrims. Every town had at least one such dharma-shala where people could stay. From Gupta era, description of these dharma-shalas can be widely found, but these existed even during the time of Bhagwan Guatam Buddha and Bhagwan Mahaveer Swami, as described in Bauddha and Jain literature. After sultanate period onwards, there are descriptions of 'sarAy' (apbhransha of 'Ashray' - shelter). These may have been modifications to the dharma-shalas.
sadAvarta are community kitchens/stores. pilgrims, homeless, hungary, travelers can eat there, or receive the raw material for cooking themselves (as was dictated by the Varna-Ashram dharma). These survive even today at various places in north, central India.
gaushalas were the homes for homeless/sick/abandoned cows. There have always been gaushalas in every community.
Particularly see Jain literature for very descriptive details of these as well as several other charity works. Refer to 'KuvalayamAlA'.
dharma shAlAs were community-supported shelters/inns for homeless, travelers, and pilgrims. Every town had at least one such dharma-shala where people could stay. From Gupta era, description of these dharma-shalas can be widely found, but these existed even during the time of Bhagwan Guatam Buddha and Bhagwan Mahaveer Swami, as described in Bauddha and Jain literature. After sultanate period onwards, there are descriptions of 'sarAy' (apbhransha of 'Ashray' - shelter). These may have been modifications to the dharma-shalas.
sadAvarta are community kitchens/stores. pilgrims, homeless, hungary, travelers can eat there, or receive the raw material for cooking themselves (as was dictated by the Varna-Ashram dharma). These survive even today at various places in north, central India.
gaushalas were the homes for homeless/sick/abandoned cows. There have always been gaushalas in every community.
Particularly see Jain literature for very descriptive details of these as well as several other charity works. Refer to 'KuvalayamAlA'.