Ghosti and the Brahmanas
Thinking about gratitude led me to review hospitality and ghos-ti, which led me to the following quote. It seems to shed interesting light on one of ADF's core concepts, that of ghos-ti, or duties of reciprocal hospitality...
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When a man is born, whoever he may be, there is born simultaneously a debt
to the gods, to the sages, to the ancestors, and to men.
When he performs sacrifice it is the debt to the gods which is concerned.
It is on their behalf, therefore, that he is taking action when he
sacrifices or makes an oblation.
And when he recites the Vedas it is the debt to the sages which is
concerned. It is on their behalf, therefore, that he is taking action, for
it is said of one who has recited the Vedas that he is the guardian of the
treasure store of the sages.
And when he desires offspring, it is the debt to the ancestors which is
concerned. It is on their behalf, therefore, that he is taking action, so
that their offspring may continue, without interruption.
And when he entertains guests, it is the debt to man which is concerned.
It is on their behalf, therefore, that he is taking action if he
entertains guests and gives them food and drink. The man who does all
these things has performed a true work; he has obtained all, conquered
all.
Hinduism. Satapatha Brahmana 1.7.2.1-5
quoted from World Scriptures: Gratitude, http://www.unification.net/ws/theme108.htm
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When a man is born, whoever he may be, there is born simultaneously a debt
to the gods, to the sages, to the ancestors, and to men.
When he performs sacrifice it is the debt to the gods which is concerned.
It is on their behalf, therefore, that he is taking action when he
sacrifices or makes an oblation.
And when he recites the Vedas it is the debt to the sages which is
concerned. It is on their behalf, therefore, that he is taking action, for
it is said of one who has recited the Vedas that he is the guardian of the
treasure store of the sages.
And when he desires offspring, it is the debt to the ancestors which is
concerned. It is on their behalf, therefore, that he is taking action, so
that their offspring may continue, without interruption.
And when he entertains guests, it is the debt to man which is concerned.
It is on their behalf, therefore, that he is taking action if he
entertains guests and gives them food and drink. The man who does all
these things has performed a true work; he has obtained all, conquered
all.
Hinduism. Satapatha Brahmana 1.7.2.1-5
quoted from World Scriptures: Gratitude, http://www.unification.net/ws/theme108.htm