Vier bedelmonniken before 1900

This photographic print shows four monks in what appears to be a Japanese village or town. The begging monks, with their conical hats and simple robes, represent humility and detachment from worldly possessions, which is in line with Buddhist teachings. This motif of monks seeking alms appears across cultures and eras. Think of the mendicant friars of medieval Europe, also wandering and relying on the charity of others. This is the very embodiment of spiritual devotion and selflessness. The act of begging itself carries profound psychological weight. It represents a complete surrender of pride, a vulnerability that connects the giver and receiver in a shared human experience. The monks serve as a poignant reminder of our shared humanity and the cyclical nature of giving and receiving.