The Carpet Beggars.

Astonishment even disgust often greet us when we see the multitude beggars with mutilated limbs, infected sores ,or leprosy inflicted gorged flesh, trail us, as they seemed intent on displaying the worlds ugliness under our noses. These were many types, men, women and children dressed in old rags, tangled hair some with fur of monkeys, all begging for alms. You will find them outside every temple, mosque, church and place of worship, entreating and begging earnestly.
In traditional religions it is considered that a person who gives alms to beggars scores religious brownie points. Most affluent people give to save taxes, to deal with the guilt of having wealth, which they have amassed at the expense of the rest of the society. Religions encourage this form of charity as people feel benevolent by feeding beggars. It is a salve for the guilty conscience of the rich as it allows them to atone for the sin of being more privileged and they feel that God is also entitled to a part of their largesse. In many cities, begging is an organized business with a structured hierarchal system, similar to pimping and prostitution.
In some Hindu and Buddhist, traditions spiritual seekers called Sadhus or Monks keep going from place begging as any fruitive activity is considered as a materialistic quest. The Abrahamic religion does it under the guise of charitable donations from rich patrons and governments to spread their faith. In some Hindu traditions old men after a full life give up their material possessions and relations to wonder as ascetic mendicants.
The paradox of the situation is that those who come out of these places of worship and dole out alms have a superior air around them and look down condescendingly on the beggars as lesser mortals.
These beggars are under no illusion and are aware that they can sustain themselves by begging for food and money which will take care of their physical needs and in some cases the beggars have made a sizable wealth. They have territories and often disputes and physical violence erupts when there is encroachment.

All religions and their teachings direct their believers to a creator, god, or deity who is all powerful and will grant the wishes and requests of their believers. This is where every believer, including the high and mighty are directed by their faith to beg from the Almighty to grant their requests and fulfill their desires. . Buying equity with God is the wrong path to salvation and they themselves will always remain beggars with their prayer mats or carpets in tow.
Here religion or faith converts them into “spiritual beggars” as they rush to these places of worship to entreat earnestly, implore, or supplicate. It is mostly for a selfish purpose of securing a material benefit or relieve illness, pain or suffering for a family member. They are encouraged to bribe god by way of gifts, donations or even money.
These religious beggars have a divine look and derive a great sense of satisfaction from their acts. One begs in front of mortals the other in front of immortals. Who is under the illusion and what is the stark reality? It is only those who are “wealthy in their hearts” who really give away more than those who are rich with material. Time, energy, skills and compassion for the less privileged are more important than money. The simple wisdom that lies in the tenets of true altruism is this reality which brings happiness and warmth to the giver and taker, the rest of the spiritual beggars will always be in a vacuum. –Vinay-