DHARMA CHAKRA

 

The Hindu Scriptures, like the Jain and Buddhist Scriptures only talk about DHARMA. Dharma is often translated as “religion” but it is an inadequate term.

Dharma is a very complex topic but is generally defined as:–

dhāraṇād dharma ityāhuḥ dharmo dhārayate prajāḥ |

ya syād dhāraṇa samyuktaḥ sa dharma iti niścayaḥ ||

The word Dharma is derived from dhāraṇa or sustenance; Dharma sustains society. That which has the capacity to sustain is indeed Dharma. (M.B. Karna Parva 69:58

Dharma is what differentiates humans from animals - both of which are sentient beings and thus emanations of the Divine.

āhāra nidrā bhaya maithunaṃ ca sāmānyam etat paśubhir narāṇām |

Dharmo hi teṣān adhiko viśeṣo Dharmeṇa hīnāḥ paśubhiḥ samānāḥ ||

Eating, sleep, fear and procreation are common to both animals and humans, Dharma alone is specific to humans, without Dharma, they are equal to animals. (hitopadesha)

Dharma has 12 components; 6 relating to self development and 6 relating to relationship with “others” —

1. Purity (saucham) — The first requisite of Dharma and the foundation is the cultivation of a pure and healthy body and hence a pure and healthy mind. It is incumbent upon the Hindu to bathe twice a day or at least every morning and maintain good hygiene. The rules of purity are quite complex and cover everything from physical hygiene and eating to ritual purification after such occasions as death and birth.

2. Sacrifice (yajña) — worship of God through the rituals that are prescribed in the various sacred texts (ie. Vedas and Agamas)

3. Austerity (tapah) — refers to simple living and the practice of meditation.

4. Self discipline (damah) — one should strive to control one's desires and behaviour, avoid excesses and cultivate self- discipline which is the basis of civilisation.

5. Study (svadhyaya) — this concept refers to the Study of philosophy (investigation into the Truth) as well as self-study or introspection, self analysis and cultivation of insight into one's true Self.

6. Contentment (shanti) — development of a peaceful disposition; being content with little and accepting whatever comes to one; be it pleasant or unpleasant, with equanimity.

7. Non-violence (Ahimsa) — one should refrain from causing any injury to other living beings through word, deed or thought. The premise is that the ātman (Self) in all beings is the same and therefore one should treat all other beings with the utmost compassion as one should deal with oneself.

8. Truth (satyam) — practice of truth in speech and harmony in action at all times. One should speak only that which is true and agreeable, one should not needlessly say things that are hurtful even though they may be the truth. One's actions should be in concordance with what one professes. The practice of truth includes in it such virtues as straightforwardness, frankness, absence of deviousness and malice and so forth.

9. Charity (danam) — this has a twofold reference; one is the giving of charity to the needy as well as social works for the benefit of society as a whole. The other reference is to the gift of fearlessness to all creatures through cultivation of complete non-injury (ahimsa ) to any being in word, deed, or thought.

10. Non stealing (asteya) — one should refrain from taking anything that is not given.

11. Forgiveness (kshama) — and forbearance which comes from the cultivation of loving kindness to all beings.

12. Veneration for elders (gurusevana) — the term guru (preceptor) covers the parents, elders and all those who teach something however insignificant it may be.