Difference between revisions of "Dharma"
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'''''Dharma''''' or ''''Dharm'''' is a [[Sanskrit]] word (Sanskrit: धर्म, Pali: ''dhamma''), from a root meaning "to hold up, to carry, to bear, to sustain",<ref>http://www.sanskrit.org/www/Sanskrit/sanskritterms.htm</ref> with a great variety of meanings in the [[Dharmic religion]]s of [[Hinduism]], [[Buddhism]], [[Jainism]] and [[Sikhism]]. It generally means a "duty", the opposite of [[nihilism]]. | '''''Dharma''''' or ''''Dharm'''' is a [[Sanskrit]] word (Sanskrit: धर्म, Pali: ''dhamma''), from a root meaning "to hold up, to carry, to bear, to sustain",<ref>http://www.sanskrit.org/www/Sanskrit/sanskritterms.htm</ref> with a great variety of meanings in the [[Dharmic religion]]s of [[Hinduism]], [[Buddhism]], [[Jainism]] and [[Sikhism]]. It generally means a "duty", the opposite of [[nihilism]]. | ||
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| + | ==''Dharma'' in Buddhism== | ||
| + | In [[Buddhism]], followers adhere to these five principles of the dharma: | ||
| + | |||
| + | * [[Faith]] in the [[Three Jewels]], which is [[Buddha]], Dharma, and [[Sangha]]. Sangha is the community of [[ordination|ordained]] [[monk]]s and [[nun]]s. | ||
| + | |||
| + | * The [[Five Precepts]]: don’t [[kill]], don’t [[steal]], don’t engage in sexual misconduct ([[rape]] or [[adultery]]), don’t [[lie]], and don’t take [[alcohol|intoxicants]] which cloud the mind. | ||
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| + | * Listening: Only through listening can we understand [[good]] and [[evil]]. | ||
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| + | * [[Giving]]: Engaging in [[charity]] and [[selfless]]ness reminds us that the Dharma is not intended for us alone, but it is to be shared with everyone. | ||
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| + | * [[Wisdom]]: One has to listen, contemplate and put into practice the Dharma. Then one may gain [[wisdom]], and realize the [[truth]]. | ||
==''Dharma'' in Hinduism== | ==''Dharma'' in Hinduism== | ||
| − | + | ''Dharma'' means [[faith]], [[belief]], [[religion]], and personal law - all at the same time. Its most generic sense is that of [[righteousness]] or [[duty]]. It also refers to an [[ethics|ethical]] way of living; it is the path one should follow to live rightly in accordance with [[Hindu]] philosophical principles. The old name for Vedic Hinduism is Sanatan Dharm, meaning eternal law. | |
| − | ''Dharma'' means | ||
Rules for [[Brahmin]] Priests & Monks: | Rules for [[Brahmin]] Priests & Monks: | ||
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*# [[Ishwarapranidhana]] - self-surrender to god, offering of one's life to God | *# [[Ishwarapranidhana]] - self-surrender to god, offering of one's life to God | ||
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| − | * | + | ==See Also== |
| − | * | + | * [[Five Precepts]] |
| − | * | + | * [[Buddha]], [[Dharma]], [[Sangha]] |
| − | + | * [[Refuge]] | |
| − | + | * [[Bodhisattva]] - [[Buddha]] | |
| + | |||
| + | * [[Hinduism]]: [[Upanishads]] and [[Vedas]] | ||
| + | * [[Yoga]] | ||
| + | * The [[Ten Commandments]] of [[Judaism]] and [[Christianity]] | ||
| − | + | ==References== | |
<references/> | <references/> | ||
| − | + | [[Category : Buddhism]] | |
| − | + | [[Category : Taoism]] | |
| − | + | [[Category : Hinduism]] | |
| − | + | [[Category : Dharmic Religions]] | |
| − | [[ | ||
Revision as of 14:42, January 3, 2015
Dharma or 'Dharm' is a Sanskrit word (Sanskrit: धर्म, Pali: dhamma), from a root meaning "to hold up, to carry, to bear, to sustain",[1] with a great variety of meanings in the Dharmic religions of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism. It generally means a "duty", the opposite of nihilism.
Dharma in Buddhism
In Buddhism, followers adhere to these five principles of the dharma:
- Faith in the Three Jewels, which is Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. Sangha is the community of ordained monks and nuns.
- The Five Precepts: don’t kill, don’t steal, don’t engage in sexual misconduct (rape or adultery), don’t lie, and don’t take intoxicants which cloud the mind.
- Giving: Engaging in charity and selflessness reminds us that the Dharma is not intended for us alone, but it is to be shared with everyone.
- Wisdom: One has to listen, contemplate and put into practice the Dharma. Then one may gain wisdom, and realize the truth.
Dharma in Hinduism
Dharma means faith, belief, religion, and personal law - all at the same time. Its most generic sense is that of righteousness or duty. It also refers to an ethical way of living; it is the path one should follow to live rightly in accordance with Hindu philosophical principles. The old name for Vedic Hinduism is Sanatan Dharm, meaning eternal law.
Rules for Brahmin Priests & Monks:
- Yamas: Restraints or Dont's
- Ahimsa - non-violence, non-injury, harmlessness
- Satya - truthfulness, honesty (non lying, non bragging, non embelishing)
- Asteya/Achurya - non-stealing, non-coveting, non-entering into debt, non-misappropriativeness
- Brahmacharya - restraint of senses(not giving into Pleasure)
- Kshama - forgiveness for the past, mercifull for historic sins, patience in the present
- Dhriti - steadfastness, overcoming non perserverance, fear, indecision; seeing each task through completion
- Daya - compassion; conquering callous, cruel and insensitive feelings toward all beings.
- Arjava - honesty, straightforwardness, renouncing deception and wrongdoing.
- Mitahara - moderate appetite, neither eating too much nor to little; nor consuming meat, fish, shellfish, fowl or eggs.
- Shaucha - purity, avoidance of impurity in body, mind and speech, cleanliness
- Aparigraha - non-possessiveness, non-greed, non-selfishness, non-acquisitiveness
- Niyamas: Duties & Responsibilities or Do's
- Hri - remorse for misdeeds
- Santosha - contentment; being satisfied with the resources at hand - therefore not desiring more; peacefulness
- Dana - giving, without thought of reward
- Astikya - Faith, believing firmly in the Guru, believing firmly in the path to enlightenment, believing firmly in the religious scriptures
- Ishvarapujana - worship of the Lord, the cultivation of devotion through daily worship and meditation, the return to the source
- Siddhanta shravana - scriptural listening, studying the teachings and listening to the wise of one's lineage
- Mati - cognition, developing a spiritual will and intellect with the Guru's guidance
- Vrata - sacred vows, fulfilling religious vows, rules and observances faithfully
- Japa - recitation, chanting Religious scriptutes daily
- Tapas - austerity, spiritual discipline
- Swadhyaya - introspective self-study, spiritual study
- Ishwarapranidhana - self-surrender to god, offering of one's life to God
See Also
- Hinduism: Upanishads and Vedas
- Yoga
- The Ten Commandments of Judaism and Christianity