Dharma

From The SpiritWiki

Dharma is a Sanskrit/Vedic/Buddhist term syncretic with the LP concept of Alignment, with specific connections to Right Thought and Right Action.

Syncretic Terms

Right Action > Achara, Aligned Action, Ashramas, Dharma, Purushaarthas, Rtavan, Shariah

Alignment > Asha, Brahmacharya, Conversion Experience, Divine Perfection, Ethical Perfection, Eudaimonia, Gonennoncwal, Heavenly Marriage, Holiness, Ka'nikonhrÌ:io, Ondinoc, Perfect Connection, Perfection, Purification, Purity, Rectitude, Renunciation, Repentence, Righteousness, Samyaktva, Sane Living, Tahdhīb al-akhlāq, Taubah

Relate and Syncretic Terms

Zen Buddhism > Ansho no zen, Ashi, Daigo, Dharma, Japam, Kensho, Mushi-dokugo, Original Face, Pure Land, Satori, Shogo, Shukkejin, Sufism, Yako Zen, Zaikejin, Zanmai, Zazen

Notes

"The Dhamma, in its broadest sense, is the immanent, invariable order of the universe in which truth, lawful regularity, and virtue are inextricably merged. This cosmic Dhamma is reflected in the human mind as the aspiration for truth, spiritual beauty, and goodness; it is expressed in human conduct as wholesome bodily, verbal, and mental action....the Buddha relies upon the Dhamma as ethical and spiritual norm to teach and transform human beings and guide them toward proper conduct of body, speech, and mind."[1]

"Dharma means “right behaviour” or “duty...”[2]

"'Dharma does not have an English equivalent, although righteousness can be an approximate word..."[3] "The Pāli commentaries demonstrate the broad scope of the Dhamma by distinguishing three types of benefit that the Buddha’s teaching is intended to promote, graded hierarchically according to their relative merit:

  1. welfare and happiness directly visible in this present life (dị̣hadhamma-hitasukha ), attained by fulfilling one’s moral commitments and social responsibilities;
  2. welfare and happiness pertaining to the next life (sampar̄yikahitasukha ), attained by engaging in meritorious deeds;
  3. the ultimate good or supreme goal (paramattha), Nibbāna, final release from the cycle of rebirths, attained by developing the Noble Eightfold Path."[4]

Footnotes

  1. Bodhi, Bhikkhu, ed. In the Buddha’s Words: An Anthology of Discourses from the Pali Canon. Wisdom Publications, 2005. p. 106.
  2. Violatti, Cristian. “Upanishads.” Ancient History Encyclopedia. Accessed July 5, 2019. https://www.ancient.eu/Upanishads/
  3. Vanamali. The Science of the Rishis: The Spiritual and Material Discoveries of the Ancient Sages of India. Toronto: Inner Traditions, 2015.
  4. Bodhi, Bhikkhu, ed. In the Buddha’s Words: An Anthology of Discourses from the Pali Canon. Wisdom Publications, 2005. p. 106.

:Zen Buddhism