Meaning of Dharma

The word ‘Dharma’ has been misused because people started to use Dharma in the sense of a religion or sect. Dharma is universal and eternal. Dharma is not Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jain, Jewish, Muslim, etc. These are all different religions or sects.

Dharma meant the universal laws of nature, which are applicable to everyone. Even today, we come across Dharma being used in this sense. For example, in Hindi we say that it is the Dharma of fire to burn and to cause to burn. Here, Dharma has nothing to do with any religion but means the nature of fire. How can fire be Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Muslim, Parsi or Sikh? Fire is fire. Likewise, ice is ice. The Dharma of ice is to be cold and to cause to cool. This is the nature of ice, which is universal and eternal.

when a person develops negativity such as anger, aversion, jealousy, and animosity, he feels unpleasant sensations and becomes miserable. Neither the mental negativity nor the resultant misery can be called as Christian, Hindu, Buddhist or Jain. This is the nature of mental defilements: to make one miserable.

When India became independent, the Indian government prepared its constitution, which stated that the constitution and government would be?Dharma-nirpeksh,?meaning non-Dharmic. This was a blunder. How can any government be non-Dharmic? It has to be?Dharmic, meaning it will give importance to right conduct. Actually, the constitution should have stated that it is non-sectarian, not non-Dharmic. The English word ‘secular’ was wrongly translated as?Dharma-nirpeksh

‘Dharma-nirpeksh’ was changed to ‘panth-nirpeksh’?(non-sectarian). However, even today, national leaders and others still use?Dharma-nirpeksh.

Whenever a sectarian word is added to Dharma, it corrupts its meaning. The Buddha never added any sectarian adjective to Dhamma. The only adjective that he added was ‘truth’. Therefore, he used the term ‘saddhamma’ (true Dharma) for his teaching. When the teaching is based on?saddhamma, it does not give rise to blind beliefs. The law of nature is the same for everybody. Therefore, the word?saddhamma?did not give rise to a sect because the entire teaching is based on truth.

This is why the Buddha is known as?saccanāma, one whose name means truth.?Nāma?also means mind. Thus,?saccanāma?is a person whose mind is always immersed in truth. Later,?saccanāma?also came to be known as?satanāma.

Key aspects of Dharma

1. Duty and Righteousness: Dharma is often associated with one's duties or obligations. It's about fulfilling the roles and responsibilities assigned to an individual based on their social status, caste, or stage of life (Ashrama). This includes fulfilling duties towards family, community, and society as a whole.

2. Virtue and Morality: Dharma also encompasses ethical principles and moral conduct. It guides individuals in making choices that are considered right and just. Adhering to Dharma is seen as a way to achieve spiritual and moral well-being.

3. Cosmic Law and Order: At a deeper level, Dharma represents the underlying cosmic law or order that governs the universe. It's the principle that sustains the balance and harmony of creation. By following Dharma, individuals align themselves with this cosmic order and contribute to its preservation.

4. Individual Path and Purpose: Dharma is also about discovering one's unique path or purpose in life. It's the guiding principle that helps individuals understand their role in the grand scheme of things and fulfill their potential.

5. Different Interpretations: While the core concept of Dharma remains consistent, its interpretation and application can vary across different schools of thought within Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. Each tradition may emphasize different aspects of Dharma, reflecting its unique philosophical and spiritual perspectives.

In conclusion, Dharma is a multifaceted concept that plays a central role in Indian religions. It encompasses duty, righteousness, virtue, cosmic law, and individual purpose. By understanding and embracing Dharma, individuals can live a meaningful and fulfilling life in harmony with themselves and the world around them.