Dharma in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Dharma in Hinduism
Buddhist Dharma
Jainism’s Dharma
Sikhism’s Dharma
Conclusion
Bibliography

Introduction

Depending on their doctrines, rituals, historical roots, and worship styles, dharmic faiths have a great deal in common and differ. According to scholars, the Dharmic beliefs, which include Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, are a collection of religions that originated in India. Hinduism is the oldest of the four faiths and has no known origin. With more than one billion adherents, Hinduism is the third most followed dharmic religion worldwide. With more than 500 million adherents, Buddhism is the second-oldest Dharmic religion and the fourth most widely practiced. One of India’s leading and third-most popular Dharmic faiths is Jainism. Guru Nanak created Sikhism nearly 500 years ago when 1.9% of Indians were followers. However, because of their common genesis, shared chronology, and similar inspirations, these faiths share several doctrines, modes of worship, and everyday rituals. Despite having a solid affinity for ideas like dharma, karma, moksha, and samara, Dharmic faiths differ in how one might ultimately be set free from rebirth. This essay aims to describe the ideas of dharma in the religions of Jainism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Sikhism in terms of their doctrines, rituals, origin tales, and modes of worship.

Dharma in Hinduism

The moral code and spirituality known as dharma serve to direct one’s lifestyle. According to Hinduism, dharma is a set of universal natural principles that, when followed, allow people to live happily, fulfilled lives and protect them from misery. Hindus view Dharma as the fundamental foundation of life. It refers to “something which holds” all creatures and humans from this planet. Dharma is the “rule of being,” the prerequisite for all existence.

The term “dharma” refers to the moral principles of religion that Hindu gurus espoused in historical Indian texts. The root of dharma, according to Ramcharitmanas creator Tulsidas, is empathy. This idea was introduced by Lord Buddha in his timeless work of profound insight, the Dhammapada. Dharma is metaphorically described in the Atharva Veda: This universe is supported by dharma, according to Prithivim Dharma Dream. The Pandavas and the Kauravas in the epic poem Mahabharata stand in for dharma in daily life.

Hinduism acknowledges the idea of reincarnation, and karma, which refers to the activities carried out by the conscious and unconscious, is what defines a person’s status in subsequent existence. It is crucial to live your life according to dharma, or what is proper, to create positive karma. This entails acting morally toward oneself, one’s family, class or caste, and the world. Dharma is similar to a cosmic standard; breaking it might lead to negative karma. Dharma thereby influences the future by the karma amassed. As a result, one’s dharmic path in the following incarnation is required to ensure that all of the effects of previous karma are realized.

Dharma offers a rule of behavior meant to provide both earthly pleasures and ultimate bliss as part of its goal of bringing about the union of the soul with the absolute truth. In Vaisesika, Rishi Kanda defined dharma as “that bestows worldly delights and results in absolute happiness.” Hinduism is the faith that offers strategies for achieving the ultimate objective and eternal happiness right here and right now, on earth, rather than in a place called heaven. For instance, it supports the notion that it is one’s dharma to wed, have children, and support one’s family in any way possible. The dharma practice creates a sense of discipline in life and inner serenity, joy, strength, and tranquility.

Buddhist Dharma

Dharma was intended to help Buddhists become aware of how they may end suffering by the Teachings of the Buddha. Buddhism adheres to the “Four Noble Truths,” which offer the groundwork for understanding the causes of sorrow and how to end it. The first of the “Four Noble Truths” is that suffering is a part of existence, dukkha. Buddha described three kinds of suffering known as dukkha: suffering brought on by mental and bodily anguish, suffering brought on by failing to acknowledge our state and interdependence, and suffering brought on by realizing that nothing exists permanent. The second idea is that individuals cause their own misery by clinging to their desires and developing sentimental ties to things they may not own. Humans are prone to be drawn to and even develop attachments to what they lack. They put themselves on the path of misery as a result. This is because things are constantly changing; hence, their values are prone to alteration, which may be the underlying cause of our misery.

The third of the “Four Noble Truths” is founded on the understanding that pain is temporary and that, with enough effort, people may discover a way to end their suffering. Buddha discusses the capacity to stop selfish aspirations, which aids in achieving freedom from the general sense of not being content with what we have. This emphasizes a person’s innate capacity to overcome pain, which they may employ at any time as long as they are aware of the sort of strength they have. The final tenet of the “Four Noble Truths” advises following the “Noble Eightfold Path” to alleviate terrible pain. The Noble Eightfold Path and mindfulness can assist Buddhists in building up enough power to get over their pain.

Jainism’s Dharma

One of the oldest Indian faiths is Jainism. It was historically known as Jain Dharma. It is distinguished by several characteristics that make it exceptional. Non-violence, non-attachment, honesty, purity, and refraining from theft are among them. Janis should stop using any price, no matter how necessary or appropriate.

Religion calls for the practice of non-violence in thought, expression, and deed. Additionally, aggressive behaviours that directly or indirectly cause living things’ deaths should be shunned. The entire ownership of any asset is against Jainism. It necessitates constrained possession and truthful acquisition of the property. Additionally, the surplus property must be donated to a charity or the less fortunate.

Along with chastity and celibacy, Jainism also emphasizes them. The Jain nuns and monks are forbidden from engaging in sexual or sensual activities. The other people are advised to honor their commitments to their relationships. The Jain religion forbids accepting anything that is not offered voluntarily. It emphasizes the need to obtain consent before taking anything that does not belong to you. Speaking the truth is another quality. One should not utter falsehoods or support or accept others who do.

Sikhism’s Dharma

An Indian religion that dates back to the Punjab area of the Indian subcontinent at the end of the 15th century CE, Sikhism is also referred to as Sikhi or Sikh Dharma. In the late 15th century, the Punjab area of the Indian subcontinent saw the founding of the religion and philosophy known as Sikhism. They are referred to as Sikhs. Gurmat (Punjabi: “the Way of the Guru”) is the name of the religion of the Sikhs. Guru Nanak founded Sikhism, and nine more Gurus followed him in succession, as per Sikh history. Sikhs think that an independent spirit resides within each of the ten human Experts. Guru Granth Sahib (“The Granth as the Guru”), also known as the Adi Granth (“First Volume”), became the single Guru following the passing of the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh (1666–1708), when the soul of the everlasting Guru was passed to it. There were over 25 million Sikhs around the globe at the beginning of the twenty-first century, with the vast majority residing in the Indian state of Punjab.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while Dharmic faiths strive for the ultimate escape from the cycle of rebirth, they differ in how they do so. Karma, dharma, samara, and moksha are all strongly tied to these concepts¹⁴. In commonalities, both faiths have a similar view of places of worship and dharma principles. Additionally, reward good deeds and imprison evil acts like murder, rape, etc. These faiths have the same ritualistic rhythms and idealized representations of humanity. On the other side, Hinduism rejects the idea of a soul while supporting the notion of wild pressures. This is one of the distinctions between the two religions. Sikhism and Buddhism reject the idea of material things but affirm the soul’s presence. In addition, whereas these religions revere many manifestations of God, Buddhism rejects the idea of a higher power. Finally, unlike other religions, Hindus reject the notion of gender equality while upholding the Vidas text. Despite the parallels above and distinctions, religion should not be rationalized since it profoundly impacts its adherents. Establishing the superiority of one religion by mistreating and demeaning other people’s religions is wrong on social and spiritual levels. To build harmony among all faiths, individuals should cherish and appreciate other people’s beliefs in the same way you would want them to respect yours. However, when people accept and value one another’s differences, there is a common harmony and feeling of humanity.

Bibliography

Barman, Violeena. 2020. “Hinduism: An Overview of The Religion”. Archives.Palarch.Nl. Web.

Jain, S. 2017. “Ahimsa: A Conceptual Tenet Distinguishing Jainism And Buddhism From Other Religious Orders”. Repository.Kln.Ac.Lk. Web.

Rita D. Sherma, PhD. 2020. “Contemplative Experience: An Interdharma Comparative Reflection”. Academia.Edu. Web.

Şenel, Engin. 2018. “Dharmic Religions And Health: A Holistic Analysis Of Global Health Literature Related To Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism And Jainism”. Journal Of Religion And Health 58 (4): 1161-1171.

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