Jarrett Anderson

World Religions 2300

6/26/16
Dr. Wijitha Bandara
Dharma in Southeast Asian Religions

Westerners see things in terms of society, morals, work or family responsibilities. Yet a
vastly large group of those from the east explain these things with the term dharma. To define
dharma in a western language is a task that requires more than saying the word. In the southeast
of the Asian continent, to say the translation of the word in whatever language or dialect of the
region would automatically trigger a deeply understood philosophical meaning to the adherents
of the religions of that geographic area, be it Buddhists or Hindus, or a Jains. Yet it requires a
deeper explanation to us. Dharma, to them, is what upholds all.

To understand the meaning of this word it is vital to understand it within the various
religious contexts of the region. Hinduism, the religion that began some 5,000 years ago in the
Indus river valley, holds a belief in dharma that is distinct to that of the Buddhists, a religion who
derived from Hinduism in the 5th century BC. Despite having derived from the other, their
definitions of dharma are distinct.

According to Hindus, Dharma (a Sanskrit word) signifies law, social order, duty, welfare,
and ethics. It is the intrinsic natural law that upholds the path to moksha (liberation). In the sense
of social order, it refers to the governing tenet of relational interactions. This means individually,
with other humans, or between physical objects and all of the universe. It does not refer to the
actions or the consequences of said actions, but it is the natural law that creates the actions and

regulates the consequences. It is through dharma that societal order is upheld and societal chaos
is evaded.
This concept was taught in the Vedas, Upanishads, and epics that are held as sacred texts
to Hindus. It is, as described in these texts, that which upholds society, and is the basis for the
caste system. As stated previously, Dharma is what upholds the path to Moksha. As Hindus make
their way toward Moksha, doing good in one life and being reincarnated in a closer state to
Moksha in the next, they are bound in their respective responsibilities within their castes.
Dharma is the law that upholds this path, and is what can be used to describe how the Hindus go
about practicing their "religion" or their quest for Moksha, the release and realization of
transcendent reality. In summation dharma is duty, responsibility, and order.

Buddhists, like Hindus, also believe that we are subject to suffering, and awful things in
this life. To Buddhists this is called dukkha. Simply put, we are ignorant because of our
attachment to physical, or emotional things in this world, we are in this world with dukkha and
we are seeking a way to be liberated from it in order to perceive true reality. This is called
Nirvana, or liberated from mental afflictions, suffering, and rebirth (Fisher, 182). We can
achieve this once we have rid ourselves of our ignorance. The way to achieve nirvana is found in
the teachings of the Buddha. These are the basic teachings and code of conduct that include the
Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path to Liberation.
The Four Noble Truths are:
1) Life inevitably involves suffering, dissatisfaction, and distress.
2) Suffering is caused by craving, rooted in ignorance.
3) Suffering will cease when craving ceases

4) There is a way to realize this state: The Noble Eightfold Path (Fisher, 142).

The eightfold path is therefore the way to achieve liberation. The eight aspects are as follows,
understanding right thought or motivation right speech right action right livelihood
right effort right mindfulness and right meditation (Fisher, 143-144). As one lives in
such a way and learns to control themselves in these aspects they will eventually be liberated.
These teachings of the Buddha are what are considered to Buddhist adherents dhamma (a Pali
word). Dhamma in this sense is reality, it is what exists and must be accepted and lived in order
to be freed from our present state of ignorance.

Those in southeast Asia have an understanding that this life is difficult. This
understanding is thanks to scripture and enlightened leaders throughout the ages. Despite having
different ways of expressing it, they are all seeking to be freed from the hardships of this life.
Dharma (dhamma) is in essence what makes up reality. It is what holds the universe together and
allows it to function. It is what sets the bounds of millions of lives and is what must be lived so
that one day, liberation from the hardships of this life may be attained.

References
Fisher, Mary Pat. Living Religions. 8th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 2011. Print.