Understanding Dharma

1. Understanding Dharma Hindu Basics: Source of the word ‘Hindu’? Sindhu? Indu Mahasagar? Him-Dhu? What is Hinduism? The term was used by the Christian missionaries. To them it was a strange tribalism and because Christianity was the only ‘religion’ to them, any other ideas had to be an ‘ism’ so the called it Hindu-ism. Other names? Sanatana Dharma, Vedic Dharma, Brahminism or Brahminical Dharma or Just Dharma

2. Understanding Dharma Hindu Basics For thousands of years of experimentation in all possible fields of human domain are being done by the people of Bharat (indian subcontinent). Bharat has a heritage that has developed a great spiritual culture, great traditions, unmatched artistic achievements, and grand social, economic, political, health and educational systems from which all nations have learned.

3. Understanding Dharma Hindu Basics Hindu history is written with immense contribution to the world in the field of science, math, language and a glorious history of heroic valor without attacking others. But the most important is its knowledge of the Self and the universe in its Vedic and Vedantic treasure houses. All of these are part of what is called Hinduism

4. Understanding Dharma Hindu Basics How the universe, a society, a system or a being is sustained depends upon certain principles and laws. The eternal and unchanging rules of being, becoming and sustaining, the order that holds things together is literally Sanatana (eternal) Dharma (sustaining principles).

5. Understanding Dharma Dharma: Dharma is a Sanskrit term, which literally means ‘that which holds together’ or ‘sustains the natural order of things’. It refers to the universal principles and laws, duties and righteousness, which bring about peace, harmony and progress. According to Dharma, religion is one of innumerable possible paths towards individual aspirations It includes morality, ethics & justice

6. Understanding Dharma Dharma: "Dharmo hi paramo loke Dharme satyam pratisthitam” Dharma is supreme in the world, and truth is based on Dharma – The Ramayana “Dharma is that through which abhyudayaa (welfare & prosperity) and Nihsreyasa (Spiritual Greatness) are attained."- Vaisheshika Sutra

7. Understanding Dharma Dharma: 'Yatha Dharma tatha jaya' - Mahabharat: Literal meaning is "Victory Is There, Where Dharma Is'.. we can modernize and say: 'Dharma or righteous actions in tune to the truth brings success and victory'. 'jaya' means victory, glory, success etc.

8. Understanding Dharma Dharma: Stephen Covey (Author of the international best selling book: The 7 habits of highly effective people): '...principles that govern human growth and happiness - natural laws..'

9. Understanding Dharma Dharma: 'Dharmo rakshati rakshitah': literal meaning is ‘dharma protects the protector of Dharma’. We can also say: 'One who follows the path of Dharma will always be sustained/safeguarded.'

10. Understanding Dharma Dharma: Slogan ideas: 'What is your Dharma now/today/this moment?' 'Understand Dharma - Find your path'

11. Understanding Dharma Dharma: "Dharanat dharmam ityahu dharmo dharayate praajah Yah svadharansamyuktah sa Dharma iti nischayah." The word Dharma is derived from dharana or sustenance; Dharma sustains society; that which has capacity to sustain, is indeed Dharma. -Mahabharat, Karnaparva, 69,59.

12. Understanding Dharma Dharma: "Dharmadartha prabhavate Dharmat prabhavate sukham Dharmena labhate savam Dharmasaramidam jagaat.” From Dharma arises wealth, Dharma is the source of happiness, through Dharma we attain everything, Dharma is the essence of the world. " - Ramayana (III.9.30)

13. Understanding Dharma Dharma: "Vatthu Sahavo Dhammo" Dharma is nothing but the real nature of an object. Just as the nature of fire is to burn and the nature of water is to produce a cooling effect, in the same manner, the essential nature of the soul is to seek self-realization and spiritual elevation. - Mahavir Swami, Jain Tirthankar

14. Understanding Dharma Dharma: “Taji sabh bharam bhajio paarbrahm. Kahu Nanak attal ih Dharma” Renounce all your doubts, and ponder upon the Supreme Lord. Says Nanak, this is the eternal Dharma - Guru Nanak, founder of Sikh Dharma

15. Understanding Dharma Dharma: Taoism: Tao is an emblem, meaning order, the whole, responsibility, efficiency. It is the Responsible Efficient, Total Order, creations as a whole, the whole of what is, multiplicity.. this is from a web-site, not anybody's quote, yet very close to the definition of Dharma.

16. Understanding Dharma Dharma as virtues: “Dhritih kshama damosteyang shouca,indriyanigrahah Dhirvidya satyamakrodho dashakam Dharmalaksananam.” -Manusmriti Fortitude, forbearance, self restraint, non-stealing, purity, control of senses, discrimination (good and bad), wisdom, truthfulness and sense of anger are the ten characteristics of Dharma

17. Understanding Dharma Dharma: Dharma as virtuesAhimsa satyamakrodho danaametat caturbidham Ajatoshatro sevasva esa Dharma sanatana. :Same as previous(Manusmriti) with the 11th virtue Ahimsa added. - Mahabharat

18. Understanding Dharma Dharma: “Dhamma means (a) the state of nature as it is, (b) the laws of nature, (c) the duties that must be performed in accordance with the laws of nature, and (d) the results that are derived from the fulfillment of such duties.” - Buddhadasa

19. Understanding Dharma Dharma: "Twofold is the Vedic Dharma: Of the nature of advancement in the world of action and achievement (pravrttilaksana) and withdrawal or turning inward into the world of Spirit and Freedom (Nivrtti-laksana), both of which are the necessary means and counterparts of the world, leading directly to the attainment of secular welfare and prosperity (abhyudaya) and Spiritual Good (nihsreyasa) of all beings." - Acharya Sankara (Introduction to his commentary on Geeta).

20. Understanding Dharma Dharma: "Religion (Dharma) has made man what he is, and will make of this human animal a God. That is what religion can do. Take religion from human society and what will remain? Nothing but a forest of brutes." - Swami Vivekananda. Note: Vivekananda used the word ‘Dharma’ and was later translated to ‘religion’.

21. Understanding Dharma Dharma: "...is the manifestation of divinity already in man. It is being and becoming, not hearing and acknowledging." - Swami Vivekananda. DHARMA <=> Sustenance, growth, evolution – progress!

22. Understanding Dharma Uniqueness: The knowledge and systems are not based on ‘beliefs’ but through experiments and experiences over thousands of years. It is super-scientific Modern science relies only on physical and sensory evidences. Dharma is based on physical, emotional, intellectual and intuitive experiences and needs.