Dasvandh
Sikh practices and discipline
Dasvandh (Punjabi: ਦਸਵੰਧ, lit. 'tenth part', also translated as 'tithe', alternatively spelt as daswandh) is the one tenth part (or 10%) of one's income that one should donate, both financially (as a tithe) and directly in the form of seva, according to Sikh principles.
Overview
It falls into Guru Nanak Dev's concepts of Vand Chhako and Kirat karo. The practice was followed during the period of Guru Arjan Dev and many Sikhs still continue to carry out the practice in the present-day. The concept of dasvandh was implicit in Guru Nanak's own line: "ghali khai kichhu hathhu dei, Nanak rahu pachhanahi sei—He alone, O Nanak, knoweth the way who eats out of what he earneth by his honest labour and yet shareth part of it with others" (GG, 1245). The idea of sharing and giving was nourished by the institutions of sangat (holy congregation) and langar (community kitchen) the Guru had established. Sikhs believe that whatever one gives in charity, they shall receive back many fold to their benefit in-return in both a material and spiritual sense, as the two realms are inseparable as per Sikh theology.
History
The practice of charitable giving was preached and spread by Guru Amar Das, followed by Guru Ram Das, and by Guru Arjan. During the guruship of Guru Amar Das, an authorized institution for managing and spreading the Sikh religion was developed in order to show directions to the Sikhs by preaching them the teachings of Sikh gurus. Guru Amar Das set up 22 manjis (districts) in various parts of the subcontinent. Each of these manjis was placed under the charge of a devout Sikh (of either gender) who, besides conducting missionary work, looked after the sangats (local Sikh congregation) of their jurisdiction and imparted the followers' offerings to the Guru.
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