It’s difficult to explain or to understand Dhamma in one article, but I’m going to do my best. Dhamma is the natural law that rules the universe, independent of human interference. It’s an almost mechanical law like the gears of a car. Dhamma is akin to life’s guidebook that one should read before playing the game.
Buddha compiled this law or guidebook to life, the Dhamma, in his sermons. He left nothing written but his followers decided to write it down long after his death. Buddha didn’t want his teachings to be accepted in blind faith as dogma. He wanted men to understand Dhamma and to see it. And the part of Dhamma related to us is within.
Before Buddha
It’s important to note that Dharma is not something the Buddha developed or revealed. Dharma, or Dhamma was already a part of the Indian ancient religions and philosophies.
Just like Karma, Samsara, and a few other concepts, this is not exclusive to buddhism. But as I said before, Buddha tried (his best, I must say) to make it understandable for his followers through his teachings.
He also explained that the best way to navigate through Dharma is only possible if one controls Karma. This is only possible when you understand the 4 noble truths Buddha left us.
Dharma is a really complex concept, especially for two main reasons. The first is because it’s shared by many religions, philosophies where each one adds their peculiar touch to its understanding, and the other is that there is a lot of disagreement when trying to put it into words.
Tripitaka
Those writings of Buddha’s followers, when put together, receive the name Tipitaka, which means 3 baskets. The first is the basket of discipline – Vinaya Pitaca. Sutta Pitaka is the second basket, mainly containing the discourses of Buddha on various occasions. And the other one is the basket of doctrine – Abhidhamma Pitaka. The book Dhammapada is a part of the Sutta Pitaka.
The Abhidhamma Pitaka is considered the book for those who have achieved a certain evolutionary level. It does not care about mundane subjects or material concerns. It talks about conscience and thoughts. It proposes an ethic posture which will lead to Nirvana (the state of absolute peace of mind – enlightenment).
Doctrines
Buddha taught three main doctrines Annica, Dukkha and Anatta. Impermanence, suffering and emptiness. And still said his teachings were nothing but a small fraction of the immense amount of knowledge available to us.
When we understand these three doctrines we understand Dhamma. To walk through Dhamma we need to understand that everything is in constant change. We need to acknowledge the origins of suffering and free ourselves from it. Normally it will be related to Impermanence, which means attachment or to Emptiness, that we normally call selfishness.
This is the only way of getting out from Samsara (the will of life, that spins over and over again). We are born, grow older, some get married, have kids, age and die. Then rebirth, grow, marry, get kids, age and die again. Enlightenment is the only way out and no one can do that for you.
Graphic view of The Dhamma
I like to think of the Dhamma as a road. It has boundaries, and I shall walk inside those boundaries along the Dhamma, this can be a tough road. Sometimes the sun hits with strength, or it rains, or the road becomes steep or hard to climb. These are the adversities. And every time they show up, the Dhamma will be a way of dealing with it. Dhamma wants you to reach the end.
Along that road of evolution, of self-development, if you look at the boundaries, there will be shortcuts, when you’re tired, there’ll be drinks when you’re thirsty, or clothing when you feel cold, but there’s also the guardian of the Dhamma, who will put you back on the road. The guardian’s name is karma.
Dhamma, or Dharma is the way, it the whole, is the process and the end. Dharma is the sense we find in incarnation. It is the quest that leads us to our highest self if we choose to.
