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Jain "Dharma” Beyond Religion
What is Religion?
Religion is derived from Latin word religio meaning reverence or conscientiousness. It also means Res (With regard to) + legere (to gather) and Re (again) + lego (read). Hence, etymologically "religion" is meant to gather a community to read the Holy Book and to have reverence for the Holy God. This unique focus on book and God makes a religion conclusive, exclusionary and Separative. In these three ways the Indic notion of Dharma is very different from the notion of Religion.
Pankaj Jain pankai jain@uiowa.edu.
What is Dharma?
Pankaj Jain is a software engineer who changed his professional interests to pursue Master's degree
(Columbia University) and PhD (University of lowa) in Indian religions. He is
currently completing his dissertation, "Religion and
Ecology of Rajasthan," while teaching Sanskrit
in Rutgers University and World religions in New Jersey City
University. Pankaj is a member of several Asian and Indic studies professional
societies as well as a poet
In Ahimsa Paramo Dharma, dharma means virtue. In Saman Suttam 3-5, Kevali pannattam dhammam saranam pavvajjami, dharma means the teachings of the Kevalins. In Sahu Dhamma, dharma means conduct and profession of monks. Dharma is derived from Sanskrit dhri meaning to sustain, support or hold. In Mahabharata, definition of dharma signifies the upholding of both this-worldly and the other-worldly affairs: Dhaaranaad dharma ity aahur dharmena vidhrtaah prajaah, Yat syaad dhaarana sanyuktam sa dharma iti nishchayah (Mahabharata 12.110.11). And in the Vedas, Prithivim Dharmanaa Dhritam, signifies dharma as sustainer. In Buddhism, Dharmam Sharanam Gachhaami meant that the teaching of Buddha. Thus, we see that dharma has multiple meanings in the Indian context, such as, conduct, cosmic law and virtue. Dharma clearly transcends the exclusionary definition of "religion".
Some Comparative Themes of Dharma and Religion
1. Multiplicity of adherence of faiths
Surveys have indicated that more than 75% of Japanese consider themselves as both Shinto and Buddhists. A popular Japanese saying is "Born Shinto, Die Buddhist", meaning the life-cycle rituals of Japanese are inspired by Shintoism whereas the death rituals are inspired by Buddhism. Similarly, in China, a Chinese can visit a Buddhist temple, live life inspired by Taoist ideals, worship ancestors and at the same time philosophize based on Confucianism. The situation is similar in India. A Jain can visit Jain temple with the same devotion as one worships Laxmi and Ganesha, especially on the Diwali festival. Saraswati is another example of pan-Indian goddess of knowledge. Similarly, in Punjab, a Sikh can visit Gurudwara with the same fervor as he chants or writes Jai Mata Dee at the back of his truck. This simultaneous practice of several Asian traditions is possible because they are not "religions" in the Western sense.
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