Freemasonry & Charity
“A peculiar system of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols”- This the very first & possibly the most crisp and poignant definition of our craft must lead us to realize that the understanding of any of its’ precepts must go beyond the literal and the obvious.
“Charity” too, in this sense, must be examined from a deeper and more elaborate point of view than just as a virtue or a Masonic practice. The purpose of this paper is to examine the symbolism of Charity, its’ place in Freemasonry in both physical and metaphysical planes as also its’ day to day practice.
Let us first explore the symbolism of Charity. We first come across the concept of Charity when the initiate is made aware of his penniless status and than we come across the “theological ladder of Jacob, reaching from earth to heaven” that has an allusion to having three principal staves namely, Faith, Hope and Charity. But it is widely believed that like in all ancient religions including the mysteries of Mithras in Persia or the mysteries of Bramha in our own country, this ladder consists of seven steps. In this sense the seven staves are the seven virtues, namely Fortitude, Prudence, Temperance, Justice, Faith, Hope and Charity.
In the Persian mysteries, each step represents a planet with the highest symbolizing the Sun, as well in our own mythology, each step represents a world of existence with the highest representing the Sphere of Truth- the abode of Bramha who is symbolized by Sun. Thus we arrive again at the Masonic symbolism of the universe and the Sun. Since Sun represents the highest point of signification and Charity occupies the same exalted status, it is sufficient to realize that the practice of Charity is the principal lesson of Freemasonry.
The symbolism embedded in the virtue of Charity however does not end here. We are well aware that Freemasonry considers humanity as the temple of God and the progression of a Freemason through the lodge is carried out at three levels, viz. the three stories or chambers of King Solomon’s temple. The entered apprentice is at the physical or the first level of consciousness as represented by the first story of KST and is instructed to practice the action oriented virtues- Fortitude, Temperance, Prudence and Justice. The working tools in this degree are also the tools of action-the common Gavel, representing the force of action, the chisel, representing the conscious ability to temper the force of action, and the 24 inch gauge that represents the ability to reason.
As we move up, we reach the more evolved plane of our psyche- the Unconscious or the Soul, represented by the middle chamber of King Solomon’s Temple. As we climb the winding staircase again, we are reminded of the concept of our movement upwards in the East West direction. The virtues celebrated here are Faith & Hope; since both the virtues occur outside the thought process and are rooted more in the soul or psyche. The working tools here are the tools of testing- representing the test of morality against set standards.
It is however the master mason who is able to relate at all the three planes, physical, metaphysical and spiritual and thus the highest of the virtues ”Charity” characterizes this degree which takes us beyond the middle chamber, to the holy of holies. Apt enough, as we move upwards in King Solomon’s Temple or rather in our own lives we come closer to “Charity”. The working tools in this degree are the tools of creativity- related to the spirit. It is thus obvious that Charity is beyond mere action and morality, it is the characteristic of spirit expected of every master mason. It is also in this degree that we see the employment of the “Five Points of Fellowship” in raising the candidate from his figurative death. It is the expression of “Charity” in its’ fullest sense-giving one’s full support physically, morally and spiritually to a brother in need that characterizes a master mason. ”Charity” thus is the most exalted virtue in Freemasonry.
“Charity” is therefore an act of giving that must occur in the physical sense. It is also a temporal act that requires an unequivocal thought for it implies an act of giving away what is rightfully belonging to the other and thus is characteristic of the psyche or soul. It is also as spiritual in nature as any virtue can ever hope to be since this considers us all as creations of God and fellow brethren thus. It is therefore an act of giving, prompted by a thought that we are all a part of the divine .
Let us now examine “Charity” from the numerological point of view. In Jacob’s ladder as also in the hierarchy of virtues, it appears at the seventh position. The import of the number seven can not be over emphasized, especially to masons. It is however interesting to examine the import of this number from non Masonic perspectives as well. The number seven was considered the perfect number in Hebrew, the creation was completed in seven days, Noah had a seven day notice and the septenary break up of time, seven days a week are well known. Even in our own mythology we have the seven sages or rishis, seven births is an established belief and the saat phere to solemnize our marriage ceremonies are proof enough to establish the importance of this holy or venerable number.
To the mason, this number represents many significations; King Solomon was seven years and upwards in building the first temple, there are seven liberal arts and sciences and seven officers in a lodge. This is the number without which no lodge is perfect. And it is no coincidence that Charity occupies this position. Like astronomy is the most evolved of the liberal arts and sciences, and the Master occupies the highest position among the officers, so does “Charity” among virtues.
Even if one were to look at the three principal staves in Jacob’ s ladder, Charity occupies the third position, representing our master Hiram Abif, symbolizing beauty beyond wisdom and strength. Once again it is amply demonstrated that Charity goes beyond just thought and action and meanders in the realm of creativity; the ability that is a divine gift.
Having thus examined the virtue of “Charity” from the perspectives of symbology and numerology, let us now appreciate the virtue itself. The book of Corinthians provides the following description:
“Charity suffreth long, and is kind,
Charity envieth not;
Charity vaunteth not itself,
Is not puffed up,
Doth not behave itself unseemly,
Seeketh not her own,
Is not easily provoked,
Thinketh no evil;
Rejoiceth not in inequity,
But rejoiceth in the truth,
Beareth all things,
Hopeth all things,
Endureth all things,
Charity never faileth”
From the above it is very clear that Charity is beyond the mere physical act of giving. It is a more profound and fulsome practice that must encompass all the aspects of our behaviour at all times. It is not just the act of giving but also the mindset of not wanting for one’s self. It is the very essence of selflessness or the appreciation of all beings as that of our own that constitutes “Charity”. As is vividly captured in our scriptures;
“Matruvat par daaraani, par dravyasch losthvat,
Atmaanam sarvbhuteshu, yah pashyati sah pashyati”
Charity thus is the life thread of equality or the quest of it. It is embodied in the very fabric of Freemasonry in that we consider each child of God as a fellow brother, worthy of receiving the fruits derived from the application of our best faculties, as much as ourselves or our families.
Charity is said to extend beyond the grave and it is true since the act of charity is much like performing the labour in this life for the wages to be collected in the later life or afterlife. The concept of such charity is so strongly ingrained in the mythology of all religions, ancient and modern that the practice of it is deemed of paramount importance in all of them. In fact Charity is considered to be greater than knowledge and faith, love and sacrifice. As St. Paul claims in the ”Book of Corinthians” -
“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could move mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing”
From the above it is very clear that charity is beyond the gift of knowledge and faith, of the ability to foresee the future or soothsaying. But what is very strange and important for us to consider at this juncture that it has also been distinguished from the act of giving or the act of sacrifice.
This is an important distinction that needs to be appreciated in its’ full light. If Charity is not the act of giving than what is it? Why does St. Paul say that even though I give all my goods to the poor but if I have not charity, it profits me not? Are we then to understand that charity is more a matter of the mindset than the physical act? Is it not a reference to the “jalkamalvat” state of mind that our ancient scriptures have taught us. Is it not then the concept of “Aparigraha” as explained in Jainism that resources beyond our current needs are meant for distribution and not storage.
From the above it is evident that giving away alone does not constitute Charity. An act of Charity done with a view to profit, name & fame being primary motives, is not an act of charity but almsgiving or an effort at furthering one’s popularity. As said by William Hutton "The charity that hastens to proclaim its good deeds, ceases to be charity, and is only pride and ostentation".
Charity does not seek, either fame or recognition, either gratitude or reciprocation. It is wisely said that the practice of Charity brings about humility in both the giver and the recipient. The great poet and one of the “Navratnas” in Emperor Akbar’s court, Abdul Rahim Khankhana is known to have always kept his head bowed while giving away charity since it is the recipient who favors the giver and not vice versa, for it is the recipient who allows us to deposit our karma so that we may enjoy its’ fruits in our afterlife. No wonder ”Guptdaan” is a much cherished practice in our society. It is therefore wisely said that "The best thing to give to your enemy is forgiveness; to an opponent, tolerance; to a friend your heart; to your child, a good example; to a father, deference; to your mother conduct that will make her proud of you, to yourself respect; to all men, charity" Francis Maitland Balfour
Now that we have come to appreciate the virtue of “Charity” in a wider sense than just the act of being charitable, let us explore its’ Masonic practice and also its’ place in our day to day lives. As the tracing board of the first degree exhorts- ‘a freemason’s charity should have no bounds save those of prudence’ our practice of this virtue must be boundless. In fact our actions must illustrate our beliefs. Let me quote an anonymous friend of masonry who says-
“I would not give much for your masonry unless it can be seen. Lamps do not talk, but they shine. A lighthouse sounds no drum, it beats no gong, and yet far over the water its friendly spark is seen by the mariner. So let your actions shine out your masonry. Let the main sermon of your life be illustrated by your conduct, and it shall not fail to be illustrious”
A very important calling yet one that throws up a dilemma. Should Freemasonry than become a charitable society like the various movements across the world or continue its practice as unobtrusively and silently as it has done so far. What is Masonic charity? Is it building hospitals and schools, or helping the poor and the needy? If so, what is the distinction among our ancient institution and the modern movements such as the Rotary or Lions?
The answer I believe lies in our rituals and practices. The mason is considered an ashlar, rough to begin with and perfected as he goes up the planes or levels. This ashlar is the building block of the superstructure of society. The more perfect in both horizontals and perpendiculars the ashlar will be, better will be the building. It is the very practice of making good men better and thus bettering the lot of our society that is the true practice of Masonic charity. As said above the purpose of every mason’s life is to be like that shining lighthouse whose glow rises above the storm of worldly happenings and provides to those gone astray a safe return to the shores of goodness and virtue.
Let this not lead us to believe that the act of helping the needy is not a part of our sphere of activity. The collection of alms or the practice of “Dhanyadaan”- giving grains to the poor is as much an act of charity as is establishing a hospital or conducting a divine service. The practice of Charity sure is a part of our Masonic lives but only as a means to lifting our souls from the considerations of the mundane, a way of realizing, that to give is to get. To be able to help is being helped. We must all realize that the need for charity today is far greater than at any time in the history of mankind. Despite the many advances made by our race, there are more poor and destitute on the streets than ever. Inequality is at its’ zenith and we have been given a unique opportunity of being able to help. We must seize this opportunity to give as much as we can, for as is famously said:
“Love in this differs from gold and clay,
to divide is not to give away”
Charity thus can be summarized as follows:
- That Charity is a powerful symbol employed in Freemasonry.
- That Charity occupies the most exalted position amongst the virtues promoted and practiced by Freemasonry. It is the master among all virtues, the sun among the planets.
- That Charity is at once physical, thoughtful and spiritual and in that sense pervades through all the three degrees of Freemasonry.
- That Charity is not merely an act of giving but the act of loving kindness that extends beyond the grave.
- That Charity must begin at home and thus the act of bettering one’s self is as much a part of it as is helping others.
- That Freemasonry is the embodiment of the spirit of Charity yet is distinct from the worldly charitable institutions.
- That every Freemason in his figurative ascent from earth to heaven must practice the virtue of charity.
“Mahir” |
Adam Clayton Power Jr. of the black equality movement in USA says,