The Concept Of Dharma in Hinduism and Theravada Buddhism.
The Concept Of Dharma in Hinduism and Theravada Buddhism
The notion of religion is that of a compound occurrence, that at best can be defined as belief pursued with devotion. Generally, three methods of thought are utilized in the analysis of religion. They are historical, phenomenological, and the behavioral or social-scientific. Under social science, it can be said that regardless of a supernatural component, religion is greatly oriented towards this world, and as a result the behaviour and ideas associated with it, should play an influential role in social life. Buddhism, founded by Siddhartha Gautama, was one of the religious movements derived from the Brahmanic tradition of Hinduism that was brought about to meet the needs of the time. In time, Buddhism attracted devout followers, divided into two branches known as Theravada ("The Lesser Vehicle") and Mahayana ("Greater Vehicle") and made its way into India and throughout the region of Asia. Among the communal abstractions between the two religions of Hinduism and Theravada Buddhism is dharma, known as dhamma to Theravada Buddhists. While exhibited in both religions, the understanding of dharma/dhamma that is held varies enough to make them distinguishable. For Hindus, it is God’s divine law prevailing on every level of existence, from the sustaining cosmic order to religious and moral laws which bind us in harmony with that order. On the other hand, in Theravada, it is not simply a system of ideas to be grasped intellectually, but a path to be taken up, a way of going, a way of moving in thought, feeling, word, and deed.
It is essential to note that dharma in Hinduism signifies the code of conduct of the individual or group; the precepts of social behaviour whereas dhamma does not insinuate definite sociological obligations. As a personal obligation and a way of conduct, dhamma is understood to be the path utilized to escape the suffering within this world leading to enlightment. At the very core of dhamma for Theravada Buddhists, are the 2 foundations of the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path. The Four noble Truths are as follows: 1. The truth of Dukkha, 2. The truth of the arising of Dukkha, 3. The truth of the cessation of Dukkha and 4. The truth of the path which leads to the cessation of Dukkha. (Lester year, p.25). The first two Noble Truths were realized by the Buddha in response to his belief that suffering was a result of human desire. The last two truths can discerned as the way to stop eliminate the suffering endured. The Fourth Noble Truth, is specifically what holds the Middle Path commonly known as the Noble Eightfold Path. This path, which exhibits the three dimensions of mental discipline, morality, and wisdom, is composed of eight steps. (Lester year, p.33) The eight steps being: right views, right intent, right speech, right conduct, right means of livelihood, right endeavor, right mindfulness and right meditation are designed to be followed by every individual regardless of status. In light of the two core precepts, Theravada dhamma, from the view of Hinduism, only operates on a personal level, taking no notice of the fact that it lacks a sociological reach. In contrast, Hindu dharma, while being of four divisions, emphasizes guidelines which are based on three foundations: the four classes, the four stages of life, and the four ends of man. (Embree year, p.74) This form of dharma induces the categorization of individuals within society into four classes and leads to the belief that each man in each class partakes in four stages through his lifetime. It also postulates that there are distinctive cessations to life which are appropriate and should be pursued by the upright man. These dharma treatises cover a wide range of subjects, encompassing religious matters – including rules for the devotion to gods, for purification and expiatory rites, and for the use of food – as well as lectures on cosmology, cosmogony, and eschatology and sections on civil, criminal, and family law. Unlike Theravada Buddhism with its dhamma of a very general nature, which could be said to work on a personal level, Hinduism had four central divisions/forms of dharma which work on the level of human existence are universal, human, social, and personal. Human law, or asrama dharma, is the natural expression and maturing of the body, mind and emotions through four progressive stages of earthly life: student, householder, elder advisor and religious solitaire. The social dharma defines the duties and liabilities that one, as a member of a nation, community, and family must fulfill. Hence, the end result is a comprehensive system of duties, morals and religious observances composing God’s law working at a sociological level.
