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What Is Dharma?

Dharma is an ancient Sanskrit term which basically refers to the laws of nature and the natural order of things. This "universal law" concept is one that is embraced by both the Buddhist and Hindu faiths.

As previously stated, Hindus and Buddhists alike believe in the concept of Dharma. In terms of Buddhism or Buddhist religious beliefs, Dharma is also considered to be the body of teachings set forth by the Buddha.

Each world religion incorporates a "code of conduct" component to their teachings. In Christian doctrine the Ten Commandments outlines the basic rules and regulations for personal conduct. The code of conduct for Judaism is called the Torah. For Muslims Islamic law or "Sharia" covers each aspect of daily life, and expressed in more of a moral and ethical manner, the term Dharma also means "correct way of living," "proper conduct" etc.

What Is Buddhism?

Founded by Siddhartha Gautama/Gotama some 2500 years ago, Buddhism is a beautiful religion steeped in ritual and history. Today, Buddhism is the 5^th largest religion on the planet and is the spiritual home of about 364 million followers according to statistical data obtained from ReligiousTolerance.Org.

Siddhartha Gotama, later to be known as Sakyamuni or Shakyamuni ("sage of the Shakyas") is considered by Buddhists to be the "historic" or "supreme" Buddha. Siddhartha was a wealthy Indian prince who left his life of luxury thousands of years ago and set out to find the way to end the cycle of old age, sickness, and death. He felt that in order to end this human suffering he would need to live the life of an ascetic.

After his ascetic period Siddhartha discovered what is known in Buddhist philosophy as the "middle way." The middle way is a way of life that avoids the extremes of self-indulgence and self-deprivation.

Once the Buddha attained his enlightenment he began teaching the people what he had learned through his experiences and experimentation. He basically taught people:

• A better way to live and look at life
• The impermanence of life and to not get too attached to things
• The way to attain enlightenment
• And more....

All in all, the main objective of Shakyamuni Buddha's teachings was then, and still is today; to give human beings a way in which to end suffering and achieve lasting happiness.

During his years of teaching the Buddhist way, Shakyamuni did not propagate his teachings by coercing, forcing or threatening his would-be followers with the whole "hell and damnation" or "fire and brimstone" routine. As a matter of fact, the Buddha basically said, and I'm paraphrasing here; Don't believe what I say go and find out for yourself. If you determine what I say to be true then incorporate it into your life. If not, don't buy into it.

This is one of the main tenets or principles that led me to find a spiritual home in the Buddhist faith. It has been "my personal experience" that unlike other more "fundamentalist" religions, the Buddhist faith, and core Buddhist teachings and beliefs typically tend to lend themselves better to the principles of "unconditional" love, compassion, and open mindedness.

In my exploration of the Buddhist faith, again "in my experience"! I have found what I perceive to be:

• more love and acceptance
• no judgment, righteous or otherwise
• no hell fire and brimstone

So, if you're kickin tires and looking for a comfortable loving spiritual community, do yourself a favor and investigate what's known in Buddhist terminology as the "Three Jewels" of the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha.