________________ JainDigest Various Definitions of Dharma The word Dharma is derived from Sanskrit, meaning it holds us in good destiny (human & heaven) and do not let us fall into bad destiny (animals & hell). If we protect the Dharma, it will protect us. Dharma is defined and described in many ways (nature, form, types, usefulness, result, position in life and spiritual growth) in the scriptures and by the enlightened ones. The following is a brief compendium. There is no particular order and there may be some overlap. 1) Basic Nature: Vatthu Sahavo Dhammo. There are infinite objects in this world, each having infinite natural properties or Dharma. Each stays in its nature. Sweetness of sugar, coolness of water, heat of fire are all time-tested eternal Dharma of the objects. Similarly the main Dharma of the soul is knowledge, i.e. to know (Gnata or Gnayak Bhav). 2) 3 Jewels (Ratna Tray): To perceive, to know and to act are soul's Dharma. 3) 10 Virtues (Lakshana): Forgiveness, Humility, Straightforwardness, Contentedness, Truth, Restraint, Austerity, Renunciation, Detachment and Celibacy are soul's Dharma. 4) Protection: To protect and save any and all living beings is religion. 5) Sentience (Upyog): Internally, to see and to know is sentience (Chetna, Upyog) and externally being aware (of soul) & careful (not to hurt) in all activities is religion. Obedience: Following the teachings (Agna) of God (Bhagwan Mahavir) and Guru (religious preceptor) is religion - Anae Dhammo. 7) 35 Virtues: The 35 virtues of a true Jain follower (Marganusari), as outlined in the scriptures, constitute the religion ( Hemchandracharya). 8) 21 Essentials: The 21 essentials (Lakshana) of a true Jain householder, enumerated in Natak Samaysar, constitute the religion (Banarasidas). 9) 4 Activities (Purusharth): Religion (Dharma) - Wealth (Arth) - Desires (Kam) - Liberation (Moksha) are Dharma described in all Aryan religions. Wealth and desires should be in accordance with the scriptures with the goal of liberation. 10) 4 Dharma: Donation (Dan) - Celibacy (Sheel) - Austerity (Tap) - Reflection (Bhav) Dharma destroy the corresponding age old ingrained habits of Possessiveness (Parigrah) - Sex (Maithun) - Food (Ahar) - Fear (Bhay). It is said in 'Shanti Parva' of Mahabharat that religion is borne by truth, enhanced by donation, stabilized by forgiveness and goes away by the passions. Bhagwan Shri Krishna said that greed destroys the religion (Bhagvat Geeta 16-21). Well known examples are Shalibhadra, Shreyanskumar, Vijay Sheth-Vijaya Shethani, Sudarshan Sheth, Subhadra Sati, Dhanna Anagar and Bharat Maharaja. 11) Restraint (Samyam): There are 2 types, scriptural (Shrut, 12 Ang) and conduct (Charitra: 5 Mahavrat, 12 Shravak Vrat). 12) 6 Daily Duties: Tirthankar worship (Dev Puja), Guru devotion (Guru Bhakti), Swadhyay, Restraint, Austerity and Donation constitute Dharma. 13) Pratikraman 6 Essentials: Samayik, 24 Tirthankar Prayer, Obeisance (Guru Vandana), Pratikraman, Meditation and Vow also constitute Dharma. 14) 5 Tenets (Panchachar): Conduct relating to perception, knowledge, character, austerity and energy is Dharma. 15) Remove Sins: Haribhadrasuri says that 5 large sins (violence, lie, stealing, sexual misconduct, possessiveness), 4 passions (anger, pride, deceit, greed), wrong beliefs, 4 gossips (related to food, sex, politics, local), oversleep and lethargy should be removed by understanding and by taking vows. 16) 4 Tests: Like gold, true religion should pass the four tests of monks; character, non-contradictory knowledge, tenets of conduct and salvation. 17) Morality: The living should be based on non-sinfulness, morality, local laws and civility (Shrimad Rajchandra Vachnamrutji # 12, 48, 496). 18) Dutybound: Duty towards family, community, nation, mankind and all living beings is part of religion.
