2. Hospitality and it's roots?
In Latin, the word host is, means stranger, enemy. From that, we
get hospitem, Latin for guest or host. From these roots, English
gets hospital, host, hostel, hotel, hospitality. Hospitals were
originally hospices for the reception of pilgrims (those traveling to
shrines or the Holy Land). (The term later applied to charitable
institutions for the aged and infirm, and later still, to charitable
institutions for the education of children, before it gained its
current meaning) Hospitallers were those whose duty it was to
provide hospitum (lodging and entertainment) for pilgrims
(entertainment -- from the old French entretenir, 'to hold among'
-- originally meant attention to the comfort and desires of guests;
hospitality). 'Hospitality' was what you expected to get in a
'hospital.' This word history makes it pretty easy to see where we
get our current definition of hospitality -- 'friendly reception;
generous treatment of guests or strangers.'
3. Hospitality in Hinduism
Offering hospitality is fundamental to Hindu culture and
providing food and shelter to a needy stranger was and is a
traditional duty of the householder.
The unexpected guest is called the atithi, literally meaning
quot;without a set time.”
quot; Scriptures enjoin that the atithi be treated as God.”
It was especially important to extend hospitality towards
brahmanas, sannyasis and other holy people.
Tradition teaches that, no matter how poor one is, one
should always offer three items: sweet words, a sitting
place, and refreshments (at least a glass of water).
The flower garland is offered to special guests and
dignitaries, as a symbol of loving exchange.
Scriptures also enjoins that one should treat visiting
enemies so well that they will forget their animosity. A
graphic example is that of the warrior class who would
fight during the day and in the evening socialize with
adversaries.
Westerners visiting India (and other places in the East)
are often astonished by the welcoming attitude towards
guests and visiting strangers.
4. Krishna sets the example of how to receive a
respectable guest. Here, in a story from the
Bhagavata-Purana, he washes the feet of an
impoverished brahmana.
5. Hospitality in Islam
Significance of hospitality in Islam is great. The essence of hospitality is
that when guests arrive there should be no sense of frustration, rather
whatever best one can arrange should be offered to the guests, without
lavishness.
The true Islamic civility as regards hospitality is to serve the guests with
cheerfulness.
The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) said that
hospitality was a symptom of faith.
This notion was not limited to one's near and dear ones, rather each guest,
regardless of religion, was served well and taken care of.
Sometimes misunderstanding may lead the guests to be unfair. However the
host should maintain fortitude.
The fundamentals for a host toward a guest are patience, fortitude and
courtesy .
6. Islamic hospitality has played a significant role in bringing
people together and contributed to preserving traditions
and social ties,
7. Hospitality in Christianity
Hospitality is making people feel like they're not
strangers, like they 'belong.'
In the New Testament, hospitality was expected, at
least as the disciples travelled about Judea and Galilee.
When Jesus sent out the disciples (Matthew 10:10 - 13), he
told them not to take gold or silver, but to find a worthy
person and stay in their house while they are in town.
The Greek word that is translated 'hospitality' in the New
Testament is Filoxenia (philoxenia), literally, a love of
strangers.
8.
9. 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 the Torah 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
10.
11. Regardless of Religion or Nationality, Caste or Creed ,
“Hospitality is the customers birth right and they shall
have it”
Nayeem Khan
