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Dharma is a fundamental concept with multiple meanings found in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jnism. In the Hindu tradition, dharma embodies the religious and moral code that guides individual conduct; it encompasses a set of virtues like truthfulness, non-violence, and generosity as universal guidelines applicable to everyone sadharana dharma. Moreover, each individual's specific dharma or svadharma is determined by one's societal position, status, and role in life. The Dharma-sutras, foundational texts for Hindu law, extensively discuss these principles.
In Buddhism, the concept of dharma refers to the universal truth that the Buddha preached, which all individuals at any time are meant to discover and follow. This truth is often encapsulated within the Three Jewels Triratna: the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. The term dharmas in plural form represents interconnected elements that define the empirical world.
In Jn philosophy, dharma takes on a unique interpretation in addition to its conventional understanding as moral virtue; it also signifies an eternal substance or dravya - the medium through which beings can move, embodying the fundamental nature of existence across all creatures.
was last updated on September 12, 2024.
The philosophical concepts and beliefs associated with karma, samsara, and moksha are central to Indian religions and philosophy. Karma, as understood within these frameworks, serves as a motivating force that pushes adherents toward moral living while simultaneously providing an explanation for the existence of evil in the world.
Historically derived from the Sanskrit term 'karman', initially referring merely to ritual action during Vedic times 1000-700 BCE, karma's meaning expanded over time to incorporate ethical significance alongside its ritualistic aspects. This transition was notably evident in texts like the Upanishads, which began discussing karma's role beyond ritual practices around the middle of the 1st millennium BCE.
Yajnavalkya, a Vedic scholar, contributed to the evolution of karma theory by integrating it with cosmic creation theories. Over time, the religious traditions that emerged - Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jnism - adopted and developed this concept extensively, leading to its prominent role in these fths.
Karma is distinguished from the Abrahamic religions by positing a non-theistic explanation for evil; unlike those systems which attribute punishment or reward to divine intervention, Indian philosophies depict karma as an autonomous causal law operating independently of external agents. The idea of karma as a causal law suggests that actions have predictable and inevitable outcomes based on their inherent properties.
The connection between moral acts and their consequences is explored by different religious traditions in diverse ways. In Jnism, karma manifests as a particulate substance that settles on the soul after committing immoral actions or harboring negative thoughts. The Vedic tradition introduced the aparva concept - a latent potential created through rituals that eventually ripens into future outcomes.
In Buddhism and Yoga schools, karmic residues are conceptualized differently: they produce psychological tendencies samskaras and mental impressions vasanas, which determine an individual's destiny. Each interpretation highlights how karma facilitates the connection between cause and effect occurring across time intervals.
The concept of 'karma' acknowledges that actions performed by one person do not have direct impact on another's future, yet it often reflects shared beliefs about karma influencing various aspects of life. Activities carried out by individuals are believed to affect deceased relatives through ancestral offerings or other rituals. Pious acts like pilgrimages are frequently undertaken for the benefit of both living and deceased family members.
In summary, these richly nuanced interpretations underpinning dharma and karma reveal a deep connection within Indian spiritual traditions that link present actions with future consequences, providing philosophical support for ethical behavior and moral accountability.
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Universal Truth in Buddhism Hindu Law Principles Dharmas Role in Society Eternal Substance Jain Concept Karma and Moral Consequences Indian Religions Philosophical Core