What is Dharma?
It is natural for someone stepping onto the spiritual path to seek knowledge about Dharma. This is necessary, too. Therefore, in my quest to understand it, I have tried to document what I have learned through study. Undoubtedly, there may be many shortcomings in my understanding. Sometimes I feel like I’ll die without knowing many things! Many people die without ever truly understanding themselves or making an effort to comprehend life and the world.
The mysteries of the universe are boundless. Very few people in the world understand the things created by humans, let alone the divine, omnipotent, formless, and all-pervasive force that controls the movement of the sun, moon, and planets, directing them automatically. Who among the great souls can understand such a powerful entity? For me to attempt to do so is nothing short of audacity.
If one simply understands Dharma as Hindu, Muslim, or Christian, it would be a misunderstanding. Dharma is not a sect, religion, or creed. Dharma is not Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Christianity, Islam, Taoism, Judaism, or Jainism. These are all religions, each with its own deity, whom they worship. The literal translation of religion does not equate to Dharma. According to Eastern philosophy, Dharma refers to the inherent quality or characteristic of something. The true essence of Dharma may be hidden within religion. Dharma cannot be divided or fragmented. Dharma is a vast, eternal belief system, a culture, and spirituality.
With time, the interpretation of Dharma began to change. People became successful at misleading others with words that sound similar but have different meanings. Therefore, people began to associate the word Dharma with their sect. Thousands of years ago, our ancestors described Dharma as follows:
अद्रोहश्चाप्यलोभश्च दमोभूतदया तपःः।
ब्रह्मचर्य तथा सत्यमनुक्रोशःः धृति ः स्मृतः ।।
“Drohashchaapy Alobhshcha Damobhut Dayatapaḥ, Brahmacharya Tathā Satyamanu Kroshaḥ Dhritiḥ Smritaḥ.”
Not harming others, being free from greed, controlling the senses, practicing celibacy, showing compassion towards all living beings, engaging in meditation and devotion, following the path of truth, and upholding the qualities of kindness, compassion, and forgiveness are all considered Dharma. A person who follows these practices is considered religious. Therefore, any sect that encourages its followers to adhere to these practices can be said to uphold Dharma.
If a so-called religion advocates violence against living beings, promotes greed, engages in conflict for selfish reasons, attempts to belittle other sects, or fosters the belief that only they are superior, it cannot be considered Dharma. True Dharma is not about names; it is about embodying the qualities and principles described above. The qualities and characteristics that embody these principles are Dharma. Muslims often refer to their faith as “Mazhab,” which translates to sect or creed. The word religion also translates to a sect.
Dharma is a guide or pathway that harmonizes human life with the universe, elevating it to the highest state of happiness, peace, love, truth, compassion, and forgiveness, while establishing a connection of love and compassion with all living beings. It encompasses duties, rights, ethics, laws, truth, justice, behavior, virtues, customs, character, devotion, morality, and other principles that guide a disciplined life in harmony with nature. Dharma is the constitution of a civilization, culture, and spirituality.
If any so-called Dharma imposes labels such as low caste or untouchable, causing suffering to others, it is not Dharma; it is hypocrisy. If one person disrespects another’s faith, it is not Dharma. Scriptures that uphold universally accepted principles of human welfare have been overshadowed by politics, leading to the exploitation of humanity under the guise of Dharma. True Dharma should guide human life to its highest state, benefiting not only humans but all living beings, respecting nature, and advancing civilization in a way that brings happiness, peace, love, truth, and light to all. Dharma should lead us from falsehood to truth, from darkness to light, and from mortality to immortality.
सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः सर्वे सन्तु निरामयाः।
सर्वे भद्राणी पश्यन्तु मा कश्चि दुःख भाग्भवेत् ।
असतो मा सद्गमय ।
तमसो मा ज्योतीर्गमय ।
मृत्योर्माऽमृतं गमय ।
ओम् शान्तिः शान्ति ः शान्ति ः।।
यही हो हाम्रो सनातन धर्म ।
“Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah, Sarve Santu Niramaya, Sarve Bhadrani Pashyantu, Ma Kashchid Dukhabhagbhaavet. Asato Ma Sadgamaya, Tamaso Ma Jyotirgamaya, Mrityor Maamritam Gamaya.”
This is our Sanatan Dharma.
The literal meaning of Dharma can also be understood as follows: Every object has its inherent nature and qualities, and the natural quality of an object can be considered its Dharma. Dharma is the essence or quality of a person or thing. The natural law governing the relationship between the universe and living beings is Dharma. The inner science of life and matter is Dharma. The pursuit of understanding the inner laws of life is also Dharma. The internal law of the universe is Dharma. When the spirit of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (the world is one family) awakens within a person, that is human Dharma. Dharma is the unification of culture and spirituality, which means that no person can truly be impartial.
In Islam, there are two main paths: Shia and Sunni. Christianity also has divisions, such as Roman Catholicism and Protestantism. Similarly, in Hinduism, there are divisions like Vaishnavism, Shaivism, and numerous other deities. There are many sects within Sikhism, Jainism, Buddhism, and other religions. All these sects have been collectively labeled as Dharma. Over time, the word Dharma has been misinterpreted. Due to the lack of appropriate terminology, Dharma became associated with sects, and this association has now been established. However, only a few saints and spiritual leaders can correctly interpret the true meaning of Dharma.
The term Vedic Sanatan Dharma was eventually forced to be connected to Hindu Dharma, and now it has become synonymous.
The word Dharma has also entered the realm of politics. Islam ruled over India for centuries, and Christianity ruled for hundreds of years, even leading to the destruction of Aryan culture. As a result, the word Dharma was misused and became entrenched in politics. There are still some countries in the world where religious law is stronger than state law, and religious law can even overturn state law. This is particularly prevalent in Islamic religious countries and also in some Christian religious countries. The concept of secularism has penetrated and been strongly implanted in Eastern culture. Most countries in the world now have a government system based on religion.
The true meaning of secularism is to ensure that no discrimination is made in state laws based on religion and that religious institutions have no role in the governance of the state. Secularism aims to completely separate the state from religious institutions. The only Hindu nation in the world, Nepal, which was the first Hindu state, is no longer a Hindu nation. Even though Nepal was a Hindu state, there was religious tolerance. The state provided support to followers of Buddhism and Islam. The state also supported Buddhist monasteries, madrasas, and churches. Nepal’s laws and court decisions were never interfered with by religious institutions. However, due to foreign intervention, Nepal was made a secular state. With money and propaganda, our minds were swayed, and we began to find ourselves in the minority. The misunderstanding of Dharma as mere rituals led to its misinterpretation, spreading discord among us.
Our sages and saints defined Dharma as a way of life that leads humanity to excellence, happiness, bliss, peace, love, truth, compassion, and forgiveness, cultivating love and compassion for all living beings. It is unfortunate that we mocked Dharma without understanding its true meaning. In fact, there is no need for a lengthy explanation of Dharma. When an inanimate object expresses its inherent power and quality, that quality is its Dharma. If a person sincerely fulfills their duties, they can be said to be practicing Dharma.
The Dharmas we know—Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and many other sects—can be found within the broader concept of Dharma. In other words, Dharma can be found in all these sects. However, within Dharma, no sect or religious group can be found. Dharma, therefore, is of a vast, universal nature. All these sects, humanistic philosophies, and even atheism have been created from fragments of Dharma. Dharma, as defined by its true essence, is the totality of the universe, while all sects are merely retail outlets or small shops derived from Dharma. This is how I understand Dharma.
Tranalated from (Adhyatma ko Batoma -by Pundary Aryal)
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