The Dharma

Dharma: A Holistic Approach

"The idea of dharma is at the core of the philosophies of the East, particularly Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism but has relevance in many other spiritual and moral systems. The meaning of "dharma" varies according to context. At a general level, the term includes moral, ethical, and social obligations and responsibilities that maintain the universe and human world.". Dharma in no way is a list of "do's and don'ts." Instead, it enlightens understanding on a much deeper level, and thus indicates how to live in harmony within oneself, others, and the world.

Etymology and Meaning

The root is Sanskrit *dhṛ* meaning "to hold," "to sustain," or "to support." Dharma, at one level, is that which sustains or supports both the cosmos and the social and moral order. Dharma is necessarily connected with such terms as righteousness, law, and justice, though it is at a level that transcends those words.

There was always eternal contrast between dharma and *adharma*, wherein the latter term mentioned those actions or behaviors which are in contradiction with cosmic or social order. Dharma would represent the path of righteousness, while *adharma* would depict the path of wrongdoing. Therefore, dharma can be realized as a moral guide that directs people towards right action, value, and decisions.

Dharma in Hinduism

Dharma is that notion, which is presumed as the base of Hindu perception and is regarded as an element part of moral and social living. It does not fall under four Purusharthas or human goals in life but falls under the head of four: *artha* (prosperity), *kama* (pleasure), and *moksha* (liberation). In this context again, the four objectives create a scope to live an organic and purposeful life.

Dharma, taken as a whole, falls into two divisions: varna and ashrama-the two main institutions of life. The division into social order to recognize four principal groups represents the start of the system: Brahmins or priests and scholars; Kshatriyas-or warriors and rulers; Vaishyas-merchants and landowners; and Shudras-laborers and service providers. Every varna has defined roles, and in those is included an important aspect of someone's dharma. 

Besides the varna system, Hindu society is grouped into four ashramas, or life-stages. "Brahmacharya" means "life of a student", supposed to learn the sacred books and pursue knowledge. "Grihastha", or the life of a householder, is the time when one has to take care of family, society, and fulfill all other responsibilities. Retirement is known as "Vanaprastha", and renunciation as "Sannyasa". Dharma changes from stage to stage. He is a man of renunciation; he wants to know more of God, and to disentangle his worried brain.

Personal and Universal Dharma

There is in Hindu thought a difference between svadharma and sanatan dharma: the difference between one's own personal dharma and universal dharma. Correct to an individual's duties according to his caste, stage of life, and other personal nature were called svadharma whereas *sanatan dharma* meant eternal and universal laws pertaining to cosmic order, truth, non-violence, and compassion. The Bhagavad Gita is one of the Hindu classic texts teaching the idea that a man must perform his dharma even if it has miserable consequences for him just because, in the belief of the Hindus, the individual thereby places himself in harmony with the will of god.

For instance, it explains what is called the philosophy of *karma yoga*, or selfless action. This method approach indicates the deed of man has to be performed without attachment to the fruit of action. This will hold very significant for the concept of dharma because it is in respect of doing it a difference between doer and acquire on account of righteousness. That is to say, when the concern is that of dharma, the intention behind an act rather than the act itself.

Buddhism

While for Hinduism, dharma talks closely to social and cosmic duties, the connotation that dharma carries in Buddhism is quite different-that of the teachings of the Buddha-the path to liberation from suffering (samsara) as contemplated through the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.

The word *dhamma* in the oldest Buddhist literature, Pali, is the synonym for the Sanskrit word *dharma*, and it could specifically refer to the teachings of the Buddha, or more broadly, to the nature of reality itself. In Buddhism, dharma is something roughly referred to as the universal law by which, followed, enlightenment, or nirvana, is attained. Actually, in this paper, the Dharma does not find any relation to the social roles, though it differs from Hinduism as a method of personal development and good conduct.

The Buddhist dharma propounds all what constitutes ethical practice and mental discipline under which there subsides the cessation of suffering. The path toward a life fully in accordance with dharma embraces eightfold: right understanding, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration. Following this path would ensure that in a sure way, desires and attachments, which are at their roots causes of suffering, are won over.

Dharma in Jainism

Dharma has deep meanings along with the practice of *ahimsa* and all such derivatives. Jain dharma is accepted as a code which finally yields to morality, which, in turn gives rise to governing not only human beings but the activities of the other living being as well. Jain dharma places more importance on the four major elements of non-violence, truth, non-possessiveness and non-stealing.

Jain dharma teaches the attainment of liberation from bondage of samsara or birth and death. The liberation becomes attainable only through a path of right knowledge, right faith, and right conduct, all of which form the base of Jain philosophy. Ethically, Jain dharma believes in following a diet with minute restrictions, mainly being vegetarian to cause minimum harm to other living beings.

 Dharma in Sikhism

Sikhism employs the term 'Dharma' for concepts of moral law, spiritual duties and justice. Sikhism believes that it is not based on the caste system and therefore dharma would not relate to caste-based obligations but the living of life for equality, service, humility and the devotion of God. The concept of dharma has very strong association with the concepts of *seva* (selfless service) and *simran* (remembrance of God) in Sikhism.

It is plain in the more detailed explication of how the Guru Granth Sahib defines dharma as "concordance with Hukam," that term used to describe the will of God and good deeds without attachment to the fruits of such good deeds. Sikhism thus came to realize that through good actions, devotion, and honest living, one can align oneself to the divine, thus getting liberated from life .

Dharma in Modern World

We have already proved that dharma is sacred texts and social systems, and quite obviously, its application does not stop at this current ethical and spiritual life of humankind. In this age, dharma acts as a guide for utilization in reconciling complex moral issues dealing with the personal challenges of human life, seeking a life of integrity and compassion.

Dharma, acting as a prisoner in the narrow horizon of castes and social obligations, is realized in today's context to offer healthy lessons in morality for this complex modern world. Social equity, earth-conscious accountability, and growth of individuals are also encompassed in this broad umbrella of dharma. The world is transforming with an air of insecurity. This makes dharma ubiquitous law that exists to be maintained ethics and harmony-balance of well-being.

Conclusion

It is indeed all-comprehensive in every line of Oriental thought, more sublime than all the rules and laws for it presents itself as the guiding principle for moral, social, and cosmic order. This may differ in application from tradition to tradition but at its very heart, Dharma is that path of righteousness, sustaining and supporting life and the cosmos by a moral law. Whether it is religious duty in Hinduism, teachings of the Buddha in Buddhism, emphasis on non-violence in Jainism, or the call for selfless service in Sikhism, dharma appropriately can be held up as a guide on how to live harmoniously and fulfill one's duties in pursuit of spiritual growth and liberation. Leaving aside modern and often contradictory connotations, dharma long ago referred to personal ethics as well as social responsibility toward a quest for balance and meaning in a changing world.