BDDHA

inconsistent student of Buddhism for the past 40 years.

Written Jan 21, 2014

Actually, they do not beg. The do not take anything that is not freely given. They do not ask. When they go on alms rounds, they carry their bowls, and the community comes out and gives food without being asked. 

This, of course, depends on there being a community that believes they earn merit by supporting holy men in this way.

As far as why? A Buddhist monk should not prefer one food over another. They shouldn't really care about food at all. Going on alms rounds is a way of not choosing food, but allowing it to be chosen for them.

They have dedicated themselves to liberation. Working for their food would be a distraction from that.

That being said, as Buddhism spread to other countries, there were different traditions, and different practices were undertaken. Chinese and Japanese Buddhists do not go on alms rounds, as far as I know, but support themselves.