Dharma is what? Dharma in Buddhism. Sanatana-dharma

In the culture of India , several important concepts are singled out. To begin with it is necessary to be defined with treatment of one of them. A literal translation of the Indian Buddhist philosophical term allows one to understand that dharma is "support."

Interpretation of the above concept

It can be deciphered as a set of standards that have been strengthened for years and certain rules that must be observed to maintain the space balance. In Indian culture, dharma, so to speak, has no equal. In a certain context, one can see another interpretation of the concept under consideration. In particular, dharma is a moral foundation, a righteous path, a universally valid law of being.

The sacred symbol of this Indian term is the "wheel of dharma," and the "eternal syllable" is OM, which is still interpreted as AUM and SOHAM. It is widely used in Hindu and Buddhist religious ceremonies, in particular, at the beginning of each prayer.

Dharma in Buddhism

This word is interpreted in the ancient world religion as a moral virtue, namely the spiritual and moral side of its founder, to which believers should be equal. This concept is the most important for Buddhists, since it embodies the Buddha's teaching, or rather, the highest truth revealed to all beings. In addition, there is a doctrine in this religion that dharma is a collection of finite elements into which the sacred stream of the universe breaks up.

There is a belief that the Buddha perceived every individual as a unique being of its kind, having a personality from birth. In the religion in question, there is an opinion that there is no single Dharma formula that would fit all life situations. There is only a teaching for each category of believers individually, taking into account their characteristics.

Thus, summarizing the above, we can talk about the duality of two concepts, namely, that the founder of the oldest world religion is the Buddha, dharma is his teaching.

Reflection of the concept under consideration in foreign fiction of the twentieth century

This Buddhist teaching became the basis of the plot line of the sensational novel by Jack Kerouac "The Dharma's Ramsers". To date, it is one of the masterpieces of world literature. It contains autographic details, and the narration is from the first person. The protagonist is a "beatnik", which already explains what kind of lifestyle he leads: traveling on a ride in America, spending the night wherever he is and surviving at the expense of casual earnings. This is how he is satisfied with what fate gives him, or rather the Law of Dharma.

Like many other beatniks, the main character is extremely interested in the philosophical and religious teachings of ancient China and India. In this case, he is a follower of the Buddha. His life is associated with such a concept as Non-action, that is, spiritual enlightenment, which can lead to nirvana.

What makes this world masterpiece think about?

The modern understanding of the novel is represented by the thoughts that the "Dharma Vagrants" defied the whole society, which is accustomed to living according to the principle of accumulation. They act in the role of outside observers of the moment when people became hostages of their household things. In their opinion, one can feel the taste of real freedom only by renouncing the material dependencies of modern society.

Project "Department of Heuristics and Research on Material Applications Initiative"

The abbreviated name of the above project is "DHARMA Initiative", in Russian it sounds like "Dharma Inishivative". This fictitious scientific organization of the series "Staying Alive", a research project that studies areas such as:

• psychology;
• meteorology;
• parapsychology;
• electromagnetism;
• The study of the modern social aspect of society.

It was founded and financed by Alvar Hanso. Karen and Gerald DeGroute, who were associate professors at the University of Michigan, were directly involved in the development.

Facts about the history of the project

Proceeding from the training film, one can come to the conclusion that already from the beginning of 1962 there were conditions for the implementation of the project due to the fact that there was a conflict between the US and the USSR, which almost resulted in a nuclear war. Although relations were established, the UN nevertheless thought about the problem that is technogenic in nature and set the task of finding an equation that would determine the date of the "end of the world", expressed either as a large-scale war or as an epidemic or overpopulation. In the end, a numerical sequence was obtained , namely 4 8 15 16 23 42.

This result was accepted by the UN skeptically, and Alvar Hanso, on the contrary, seriously thought about him. He decided to continue the research in order to find the right combination to prevent the onset of an irreversible disaster. This gave rise to the Dharma Initiative project.

Research work was developed on an island in the Pacific Ocean, the locality of which is located in the geoactive zone. There were built fully equipped, including provisions for scientists, scientific and technical stations.

All the works in this direction did not give the desired results. The year 1980 was marked by a global incident, the cause of which can not be established even now. Presumably, there was an electromagnetic leak.

Subsequently, the object was captured and destroyed, including almost all employees, by the island's natives. And in 1987, according to official data, the project was closed.

What is the name of Hinduism in Sanskrit?

This religion originated in the Indian subcontinent. Its historical name in Sanskrit is sanatana - dharma. Translation is interpreted as "eternal religion", "eternal way" or "eternal law".

Hinduism is associated with Vedic civilization, as a result of which it is attributed to the world's oldest religions. The approximate age is five thousand years. This religion does not have a specific founder. It is based on the ancient sacred scripture - the Vedas. Subsequently, they began to be interpreted differently, which led to the emergence of various schools and branches. In these scriptures, the whole essence of the Vedic religion is concluded. According to the legends, to him who studies the Vedas, unlimited wisdom will open, because it contains all knowledge of the world. Of all the holy scriptures available in Hinduism, only the Vedas and Upanishads are of paramount importance.

The considered religion takes the third place in the world in terms of the number of followers. Hinduism is professed by over a billion people.

Which areas stand out in Hinduism?

In the religion in question there is no central doctrine about all Hindu branches, but still scientists divide religion into four major directions:

1. Shaktism.
2. Vaisnavism.
3. Smartism.
4. Shivaism.

The difference between the above directions is expressed only in the form of God.

Shakta as a Tantric Tradition

The considered direction of Hinduism occupies a significant position relative to Tantra.

The followers of this branch worship Shakti, which is represented by the female deity, or the mother goddess Devi. And already very Shakta has a lot of its schools, for example, there are three main directions of Shakta Tantra: Mishra, Samaya and Kaula.

The greatest number of followers in the third direction. Kaula is perceived as a direct embodiment of the Devata, thus being an independent object of worship. Kaula-dharma acts as a sacred doctrine. Tantras are overwhelmed with a description of the greatness of the Kaula, its spiritual strength. According to the scriptures, he can appear as a person, as an astral spirit or other supernatural beings.

Kaula-dharma is not limited by any tradition, therefore, the true Kaula can be found among the followers of absolutely any religion.

Dharma-marga as one of the noble truths in Buddhism

In this ancient Indian religion there is such a thing as "marga". The interpretation of the translation in Sanskrit is "the path of righteousness, free from suffering."

It includes three Buddhist practical aspects:

- Sheela - moral behavior;

Samadhi is meditation;

Prajna is wisdom.

The noble path is represented by eight steps:

1. True understanding, that is, comprehension of all four truths.

2. True intention, namely, a conscious desire to become a Buddha and free all from suffering.

3. True speech, in particular, absence of lies, rudeness, slander and idle chatter.

4. True action, that is, abstinence from appropriating someone else's, from all manifestations of a sexual nature, from the use of intoxicated substances, encroachments on the life of living beings.

5. True way of life, namely one that is not connected with violence and dishonest living.

6. True effort, in particular the principle of the "golden mean", on which it is not worth to torture yourself, so to indulge your weaknesses.

7. True meditation, represented by the four bases of mindfulness:

• To the body;
• To feelings;
• To the mental state;
• To dharmas - to mental faculties.

8. Meditation as true concentration.

How to bring the most important spiritual values of Buddhism into modern society?

According to official data, a project in Russia is being launched, known as the International Dharma Center "Samma Ditthi". This is a collaboration with people from Sri Lanka who practice Buddhism. The purpose of this project is the preservation, research and dissemination of the teachings of the founder of the world's oldest world religion.

The first stage is the construction of a multifunctional center in the territory of the Republic of Sri Lanka. Practical seminars, lectures by the Honorable Thero from temples and monasteries, various meetings on this subject will be held here.

In the building itself, there will be a delineation of the space to the corresponding rooms. Here will be the Altar Hall, the area of which is over 100 square meters. M, martial arts room, yoga, qigong, dining room, several guest rooms, library and office part mainly for guidance. Everywhere it is planned to install air conditioners.

The Maha Bodhi Tree, brought from Anuradhapura, will be planted on the territory of the courtyard. Also, it is planned to conduct practical classes to study the Dharma, namely, "walking practice" and meditation.

On the surrounding territory there is a Buddhist temple called Priyadarshanaramaya. It is also planned to create an artificial water channel between the above-mentioned temple, a lotus pond and the center in question.

The second aspect of the activity of this facility is the implementation of Dharma Tours. They are devoted to the study and practical embodiment of the Dharma. These Tours are held in the sacred places of the Force and Dharma, which have a beneficial effect on the body and on the consciousness of a person, while helping to enter the state of meditation and acquire spiritual experience.

Through this center, everyone can learn that, for example, the Dharma is the doctrine of the spiritual life of everything.