Bhaktananda Begging and Beggars 3/26/86 from an SRF devotee

[Jitendra Hydonus]

Bhaktananda Begging and Beggars 3/26/86

Professional beggars don’t like to work, or they don’t like responsibility.

Some beggars are genuine, temporary beggars – out of work – help them whenever you can with a five or ten dollar bill.

It is hard to distinguish real beggars from professional beggars, though.

Hobos – Tramps  vs  Bums

In the past centuries hobos were the ones willing to work, they were honest in that way – to work for their food. They carried newspapers, or they washed windows for food. Hobos and tramps were honorable in that way.

St Francis was actually in this category. He admonished his disciples to work for food.

Bums are idlers. Society bums = confidence people. These are well dressed. Street bums are unkempt. They feel the world owes them a living.

SRF Temples give a bag of food. Some are very particular, and want meat! Drug addicts want money – very demanding. Alcoholics also. Refuse them. It is bad karma to give money to them, even if they say they want the money for food. They will have all kinds of excuses: “I lost my wallet” or “I have a job waiting in Seattle” or “I need the bus fare to San Jose”. All are dishonest.

Very few beggars are honest. There are many poor people who are honest; they find food and money with welfare etc.

The important thing is to pray for the beggar, that God may enlighten him. Greater than giving money is prayer, anyway.