"..Hospitality is the Universal Language..."

Q.      What is Hospitality for Hinduism?

The ancient Tamil scripture, Tirukural, says, “The whole purpose of earning wealth and maintaining a home is to provide hospitality to guests.

"Be one to whom the mother is a God. Be one to whom the father is a God. Be one to whom the teacher is a God. Be one to whom the guest is a God.” So advises the Taittiriya Upanishad of the Yajur Veda, affirming the remarkable Hindu reverence for a guest.

Taittiriya Upanishad Ninth Anuvāka of Shiksha Valli - Ethical duties of human beings - Hospitality to one's guest to the best of one's ability with svādhyāya and pravacana.

Q.      What is Hospitality for Muslims?

The Prophet is reported to have said, “There is no good in the one who is not hospitable.”

The Prophet reinforced the Divine command by reminding Muslims to be hospitable. He said, “He, who believes in God and the Last Day, let him show hospitality to his guest…” (Bukhari and Muslim)

“Has the story reached you, of the honoured guests (Jibril and two other angels) of Abraham?

When they came to him and said: ‘Salaam, (peace be upon you)!’ He answered: ‘Salaam, (peace be upon you),’ and said:

‘You are a people unknown to me.’ Then he turned to his household, and brought out a roasted calf. And placed it before them, (saying): ‘Will you not eat?’” (Surah Adh-Dhariyat 51:24-27)

“When you are greeted with a greeting, return the greeting or improve upon it. Allah takes account of everything.” [An-Nisa’- 86]

The 18th century Shadhiliya sheikhs of the Sudan were renowned for their generosity and graciousness, and regarded these qualities as the epitome of spiritual aspiration. Their schools, called khalwas, were centres of hospitality to visitors, travellers and traders.

Q.      What is Hospitality for Christians?

There are numerous mentions of Hospitality in the Bible:

Hebrews 13:2 " Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.”

Peter 4:9    " Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling"

John 1:8     " We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth"

Q.What is Hospitality in Judaism ...?   

In Judaism, showing hospitality (hakhnasat orchim) to guests is considered a mitzvah. When one knows of strangers who are hungry or need a place to relax, it becomes a legal obligation.

Some rabbis consider hakhnasat orchim  (literally the “bringing in of strangers”) to be a part of gemilut hasadim (giving of loving kindness).

The first time hospitality is displayed in theTorah happens when Abraham invites the three wanderers from Mamre to relax while he brings them water and food(Gen. 18:1-5).

Later, when Abraham sends his servant to find a wife for his son Isaac, Rebecca graciously watered the traveler’s thirsty horses (Gen. 24:28-32).

The Bible contains many examples of the importance of being hospitable toward strangers and the rewards that one receives for the act of kindness.

Q.What is Hospitality for Japanese ...?   

OMOTENASHI

...It is an idea that perfectly balances a sense of attentive care and respect creating an environment of relaxation and warmth for the guests..."

Indeed, Omotenashi is Japanese hospitality.

“Omote” means public face – an image you wish to present to outsiders. “Nashi” means nothing. Combining them means every service is from the bottom of the heart – honest, no hiding, no pretending.

Q.      What is Hospitality for Jain ...?

Jain ascetics lead a life of purity, celibacy, simplicity, selfless service and perfect austerity.

They have nothing to claim of their own and all the living beings are their friends par excellence.

One vow of spiritual discipline (shikshavrata) that the householder takes is that of hospitality to the monks (Atithi-Samvibhaga-Vrata).

This involves the supply of food, books, medicine, etc.

Acharya Samantabhadra calls the vow of hospitality physical service (Vaiyavratya).

It makes the householder the parent of the monk.

Monks who are sick, aged, and helpless are thus taken care of in their time of need.

The ideal of such physical service was practised particularly in the area of medical help (Aushadhi Dana) and created a communal sense of security (Abhaya Dana).

Q.     What is Hospitality for Tibet Buddhist..?

Hospitality (sakkāra) is the act of being welcoming and helpful to guests (atithiorpāhunaka), strangers (āgantuka) and travellers (addhika).

Throughout the ancient world hospitality, at least towards members of one’s own tribe or religion, was held in high esteem. In India it was restricted to some degree by the demands of the caste system.

For example, the Manusmṛti, the most important Hindu law book, says that a brahman should only offer hospitality to other brahmans and that he should neither greet nor return the greeting of monks or ascetics of unorthodox sects, although the more open-minded brahmans did not always agree with this(D.I,117).

It was probably because of such ideas that, when the Buddha went on alms gathering in the brahman village of Pañcasālā, the inhabitants refused to give him anything, and he ‘left with his bowl as clean as when he had come.’ (S.I,114). For the Buddha,hospitality should be shown to all, whatever their caste, religious affiliation or status.

Q.     What is Hospitality for New Zealand Maoris..?

Manaakitanga is a powerful way of expressing how Māori communities care about each other’s wellbeing, nurture relationships, and engage with one another.

Manaakitanga also extends to the whenua (Land) that needs care in order to ensure sustainability for future generations.

The value of Manaakitanga is often expressed through the responsibility to provide hospitality and protection.

Manaakitanga derives from two words - ‘mana’ and ‘aki’. Mana is a condition that holds everything in the highest regard. Aki means to uphold or support. Extending Manaakitanga requires respect, humility, kindness and honesty.