WHAT IS DHARMA?

 

Dharma, is not a specific religion, or creed, as it generally means from a layman’s perspective. It is, according to the tenets of  Hinduism and Buddhist doctrines, the order of the universe. Dharma (/ˈdɑːrmə/; Sanskrit: धर्म, (Pali: dhamma)) is a key concept with multiple meanings in many religions, such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism and others. There is no single-word translation for dharma in Western languages. The term svadharma has been used in the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, as equivalent to something socially beneficial that propitiates the way of personal harmony. It is loosely synonymous with the term duty. A sense is embedded in the term which denoted that one should treat a person as he treats himself. Dhamma, in Pali language, and Buddhism attaches a sort of distinct sophistication to the notion of Dharma. Failing to perform one’s dharma may incur misery, suffering (dukkha).Following one’s own dharma leads to bodhi or enlightenment. It is referred to as the path that every Buddhist is supposed to follow. (Oliver Leaman) The dharmachakra (Sanskrit; Pali: dhammacakka) or wheel of dharma is a widespread symbol used in Indian religions such as Jainism, Hinduism and especially Buddhism. Lord Buddha promulgated four noble truths to mankind. He said that the material world is full of dukkha or suffering. All sufferings spring from desire, ignorance and attachment. Therefore, it can be inferred that secular desire, eventually engender suffering. Such suffering could be eliminated only by eradicating its cause. In order to put an end to such suffering, one must recognize the right path to accomplish it. This path is known as the 'Eight Fold Path' or the Astangik Marga, such as, right speech, right conduct, right view, right resolve, right conduct, right livelihood, right mindfulness, and right Samadhi.

In his critical essay, Dharma and Moksha, J.A.B. Vanbuitenen, describes dharma as, ‘the observance of the necessary act that keep the world intact.’ Dharma denotes acts of all manners, on the part of a human being, which enforces the cosmic status quo.’ In Hinduism, Dharma is the activity determined cosmically or religiously, to maintain the equilibrium and normal order of the world. In Buddhism, dharma can be rendered as the norm. Dharma, therefore, is ‘a kind of natural law on all existent beings in the universe.’

 If dharma is possibly all kinds of activities propitious for the universe, adharma, is a contradictory notion which threatens the established order and is capable of creating chaos in the universe.

 

 

 

 

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