Dharma (धर्मः)

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Dharma (Samskrit : धर्मः) served as the foundational principle for people all traditions that arose on Bharatavarsha. Every person leads a life irrespective of the civilization he belongs to. But every civilization has a characteristic way of living (जीवनशैली), which, as per that civilization’s convictions, is superior to the way other civilizations live. And the basis this characteristic way of living is forms the perspectives of life that the civilization is founded upon. And underlying the way of living and the perspectives of life are the perspectives about the world ie. vishwa dristhi (विश्वदृष्टीः worldview) and tattvajnana (तत्त्वज्ञान - foundational philosophy) that the civilization is founded upon. The world view and perspectives toward life held by the civilization tend to influence an individual’s relationships with other entities, which include all movable and immovable (चराचर) entities.

Introduction

Dharma is the greatest and the most valuable contribution to humanity by Bharatavarsha, our beloved Janmabhumi. On account of its antiquity, utility and universality the very mention of that word rouses the conscience of every individual in this land. As proclaimed by numerous scholars, Dharma is one of those Samskrit terms that defy all attempts at an exact rendering in English or any other tongue.

Mahabharata proclaims that ultimately it is Dharma which holds together all the entities of the Universe.

धारणाद्धर्ममित्याहुर्धर्मो धारयते प्रजाः। यत्स्याद्धारणसंयुक्तं स धर्म इति निश्चयः॥ (Maha. Karn. 8.69.58)

dhāraṇāddharmamityāhurdharmo dhārayate prajāḥ। yatsyāddhāraṇasaṁyuktaṁ sa dharma iti niścayaḥ॥ (Maha. Karn. 8.69.58)

That which supports, that which holds together the peoples (of the universe), that is Dharma

Dharma Constituents

A common territory and common values of life evolved and cherished by the people of Bharatavarsha by far have welded the people of this sacred land into a nation bound by the system of values of life. There are many main and subsidiary values, traditions and customs but all of them within the framework of Sanatana Dharma. Universal acceptance that 'Dharma' bears the Universe and holds entities together (Maha. Karn. 8.69.58) is the moral binding factor of different people of Bharatavarsha. A few important values may be summarized here.

1. Duty towards others
2. A Code of Conduct: Samanya Dharma (for all human beings) and Raja Dharma (Duty of Rulers)
3. Respect for Womanhood
4. Equality (Samanata)
5. Gratitude (Kritajnata)
6. Compassion (Daya)
7. Simple Life -Sparing use of Natural Resources
8. Service (Seva -Paropakara)
9. Sacrifice (Tyaga)
10. World is one Family (Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam)

Aptly, in modern thought processes, the dharmika paradigm encompasses

1. integral unity (dharmika tattvajnana)
2. perspective of life (dharmika jeevan drishti)
3. codes of conduct (dharmika vyavahar sutra)
4. systems and structures (dharmika vyavastha)

These aspects are studied at length in Dharmika Jivana Vidhana, through which we aim to bring back restructuring of the society along with the ancient glory, and peace in global dharmika communities.

Acceptance of dharma as global ethic

The eternal validity of the values based on Dharma, has to be accepted by the entire world if the human race is to be saved from total destruction, is established by the initial declaration {Towards Global Ethic) made at the Parliament of the World's Religions from August 28 to September 5,1993. at Chicago, to coincide with the centenary of Swamy Vivekananda 's Chicago Address. The declaration is signed by as many as 160 persons belonging to world religions and also those who represented Dharma. It incorporates values, which are all part of "Dharma"from times immemorial. The same is reproduced hereinafter.

TOWARDS A GLOBAL ETHIC

The World is in agony. The agony is so pervasive and urgent that we are compelled to name its manifestations so that the depth of this pain may be made clear. Peace eludes us the planet is being destroyed neighbours live in fear women and men are estranged from each other children die ! This is abhorrent ! We condemn the abuses of the Earth 's ecosystems. We condemn the poverty that stifles life's potential; the hunger that weakens the human body; the economic disparities that threaten so many families with ruin. We condemn the social disarray of the nations; the disregard for justice which pushes citizens to the margin; and anarchy overtaking our communities; and the insane death of children from violence. In particular, we condemn aggression and hatred in the name of religion. But this agony need not be. It need not be because the basis for an ethic already exists. This ethic offers the possibility of a better individual and global order, and leads individuals away from despair and societies away from chaos. We are women and men who have embraced the precepts and practices of the world's religions. We affirm that a common set of core values is found in the teachings of the religions, and that these form the basis of a global ethic. We affirm that this truth is already known, but yet to be lived in heart and action. We affirm that there is an irrevocable, unconditional norm for all areas of life, for families and communities, for races, nations, and religions. There already exist ancient guidelines for human behaviour which are found in the teachings of the religions of the world and which are the condition for a sustainable world order.

WE DECLARE :

We are interdependent. Each of us depends on the well-being of the whole, and so we have respect for the community of living beings, for people, animals, and the plants, and for the preservation of the earth, the air, water and soil. We take individual responsibility for all we do. All our decisions, actions, and failures to act have consequences. We must treat others as we wish others to treat us. We make a commitment to respect life and dignity, individuality and diversity, so that every person is treated humanely, without exception. We must have patience and acceptance. We must be able to forgive, learning from the past but never allowing ourselves to be enslaved by memories of hate. Opening our hearts to one another, we must sink our narrow differences for the cause of the world community practicing a culture of solidarity and relatedness. We consider humankind our family. We must strive to be kind and generous. We must not live for ourselves alone, but should also serve others, never forgetting the children, the aged, the poor, the suffering, the disabled, the refugees, and the lonely. No person should ever be considered or treated as a second class citizen, or be exploited in any way whatsoever. There should be equal partnership between men and women. We must not commit any kind of sexual immorality. We must put behind us all forms of domination or abuse. We commit ourselves to a culture of non-violence, respect, justice and peace. We shall not oppress, injure, torture, or kill other human beings, forsaking violence as a means of settling differences. We must strive for a just social and economic order, in which everyone has an equal chance to reach full potential as a human being. We must speak and act truthfully and with compassion, dealing fairly with all, and avoiding prejudice and hatred. We must not steal. We must move beyond the dominance of greed for power, prestige, money and consumption to make a just and peaceful world. Each cannot be changed for the better unless the consciousness of individuals is changed first. We pledge to increase our awareness by disciplining our minds, by meditation, by prayer, or by positive thinking. Without risk and a readiness to sacrifice there can be no fundamental change in our situation. Therefore we commit ourselves to this global ethic, to understanding one another, and to socially beneficial, peace- fostering, and nature -friendly ways of life. We Invite All People Whether Religious or not To do the same"A comparison of the values declared as part of the Global Ethic and the corresponding rules of Dharma at once indicates that they are one and the same. They are : 1. We must treat others as : atmavat sarvabhutanam we wish others to treat us 2. We consider humankind : Vasudhaiva our family Kutumbakam 3. We should serve others : Paropakarartham idam shareeram 4. (a) We must commit to Ahimsasatyam- a culture of non violence asteyam (b) We must speak and Shoucham act truthfully -we must not steal indriyanigraha, (c) We must move beyond Etam the dominance of greed samasikam dharmam for power, money, prestige, consumption (d) We must not commit Parityajedartha any sexual immorality Kamou Yau Syatam Dharma Varjitau All these were declared as "Dharma" five thousand years ago in Mahabharata Shantiparva 60- 7 -8 (See Ch. II). We have some thing more viz., in the form of a directive to a student at the culmination of their higher education, to treat his mother as God, treat his father and teacher as God, Don't indulge in acts which are forbidden (Vide Taittreeya Samhita) and also to treat every woman other than the wife as equal to mother" is part of the directive. The values of life found or laid down in any religious texts could supplement those values. We should therefore compile all the moral values based on Dharma and classify them into different levels. The United Nations should adopt them as the GLOBAL ETHIC and prescribe it for study at appropriate levels from the primary to university courses in the education system of all nations and make it part of the Human Resources Development Programme. This should constitute the Blue Print for education commencing from the 21st Century for all the Nations of the world in order to produce better individuals, lead a simple and better family life, secure a better national life, better environment ensuring happiness to Humanity as also to all living beings. This is the long range and the only solution for all the problems of the World.

Let the Entire World be Happy

References

M. RAMA JOIS, DHARMA - The Global Ethic, Published by "Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan