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| ]" (purple) religions in each country.]] | |||
| '''Dharmic religions''' are a family of religions that have originated from the ]. They encompass ], ], ], and ].<ref>Frawley, David. ''From the River of Heaven: Hindu and Vedic Knowledge for the Modern Age''. Berkeley, California: Book Passage Press, 1990. ISBN 1878423010.</ref><ref>York, Michael.''Pagan Theology: Paganism as a World Religion''. New York: NYU Press, 2005. ISBN 0814797083.</ref> Dharmic religions are one of the three major schools of religion in the world, the others being ]s and ]s. The theology and philosophy of Dharmic Religions center on the concept of ], a ] term for "fixed decree, law, duty", especially in a spiritual sense of "natural law, reality". It is mostly influential across the ], East Asia and South East Asia with influence felt throughout the world. These Dharmic religions are very closely interrelated. | |||
| {{portal|Buddhism}} | |||
| {{Portal|Hinduism}} | |||
| {{portal|Jainism}} | |||
| {{portal|Sikhism}} | |||
| ==The Dharmic faiths== | |||
| According to the ] encyclopedia published by ]: | |||
| <blockquote> | |||
| Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism share with Hinduism the concept of dharma along with other key concepts, and the four religions may be said to belong to the dharmic tradition. At one level Hinduism can refer to the beliefs or practices of followers of any of the dharmic traditions. The word Hinduism retains this sense in some usages in the Indian Constitution of 1950. In the field of religious studies, however, Hinduism is used in a narrower sense to distinguish it from the other religions of Indian origin. <ref> MSN Encarta: The Dharmic Tradition</ref> | |||
| </blockquote> | |||
| However Jains believe that Jainism is a seperate religion from Hinduism predating Vedas. According to Jain Agamas (texts), Adinath the first Jain Tirthankar was the father of human civilization which later spawned vedic and other religions. | |||
| ===Hinduism=== | |||
| {{main|Hinduism}} | |||
| {{seealso|Shrauta}} | |||
| ''']''' (]: '''हिन्दू धर्म''' – ''Hindū Dharma'' or '''सनातन धर्म''' – ''Sanātana Dharma'' or ''the eternal dharma'') is considered to be the oldest living religion in the world.<ref>, "The Origin of Hinduism" on About.com</ref><ref> by David Frawley (Vamadeva Shastri)</ref> Having its foundation in the ] that dates back to at least 2,500 BCE, Hinduism has no single founder<ref>Osborne, E: "Accessing R.E. Founders & Leaders, Buddhism, Hinduism and Sikhism Teacher's Book Mainstream.", page 9. Folens Limited, 2005</ref><ref>Klostermaier, K:"A Survey of Hinduism", page 1. SUNY Press, 1994.</ref> and is based on a number of religious texts developed over many centuries that contain spiritual insights and practical guidance for religious life. Among such texts, the four ]s, namely ], ], ], and ] are the most ancient. Other scriptures include the eighteen ] and the epic poems ] and ]. The ], which is contained within the ], is a widely studied scripture that summarizes the spiritual teachings of the ].<ref>See Gītā Dhyānam </ref> | |||
| Hinduism is the ] in the world, with approximately 1 ] adherents (2005 figure), of whom approximately 890 ] live in ].<ref></ref> | |||
| ===Buddhism=== | |||
| {{main|Buddhism}} | |||
| '''Buddhism''' (also known as ''Buddha ]'' (]: धमा ''Dhamma''), "the teachings of the awakened one") is a ], ] ], a way of life, a practical ], and arguably a form of ]. Buddhism focuses on the teachings of ] (Pali: Gotama Buddha), who was born in ], ] which now falls under modern day ], with the name Siddhārtha Gautama (Pāli: Siddhattha Gotama) around the fifth century BCE<ref>http://indology.info/papers/cousins/</ref>. Buddhism spread throughout the ] in the ] following the Buddha's passing, and propagated into ], ], and ] over the next ]. | |||
| Today, Buddhism is divided primarily into three traditions: ] (Sanskrit: Sthaviravāda), ], and ]. Buddhism continues to attract followers worldwide, and it is considered a ]. According to one source (), "World estimates for Buddhists vary between 230 and 500 million, with most around 350 million." However, ] are uncertain for several countries. Buddhism is the ] religion in the world behind ], ], ], and ], respectively.<ref>Garfinkel, Perry. "Buddha Rising." National Geographic Dec. 2005: 88-109.</ref> Buddhism is the ] in the world, and the monks' order ] is amongst the oldest organisations on earth. | |||
| ===Jainism=== | |||
| {{main|Jainism}} | |||
| ]. The word in the middle is "]." The wheel represents the ], to halt the cycle of reincarnation through relentless pursuit of ].]] | |||
| '''Jainism''' (pronounced in English as /{{IPA|ˈdʒeɪ.nɪzm̩}}/), traditionally known as '''Jain Dharma''' (जैन धर्म), is a ] and ] originating in ]. A minority in modern ], with growing immigrant communities in the ], ], ], the ] and elsewhere, Jains continue to sustain the ancient ] (श्रमण) or ] tradition. | |||
| Jains have significantly influenced the religious, ], ] and economic spheres in India for about three ]. Jainism stresses ] independence and ] of all life with particular emphasis on ]. ] (व्रत, ''vratae'') is vital for attaining ''Keval Gyan'' and eventually '']'', or realization of the soul's true nature. | |||
| The Jain ] (संघ), or community, has four components: ]s (साधु), ]s (sadhvi), laymen, or Shravakas (श्रावक), and laywomen, (Shravikas). A ](श्रावक)follows basic principles or "Niyam". | |||
| Perhaps the smallest, ''']''' is also the second-oldest Dharmic religion. It is a religious system that does not recognize a Godhead, and that reveres liberated souls known as ]. The followers of Jainism firmly reject the ], but strongly adhere to ], ] and ]. | |||
| ===Sikhism=== | |||
| {{main|Sikhism}} | |||
| <!-- Unsourced image removed: ]'''<ref>Nanak may be referred to by many names and titles such as Baba Nanak or Nanak Shah.</ref> was the founder of ] and the first of the ] of the Sikhs. He is revered not only by Sikhs, but also by ]s and ]s in the ] and across the ]. <ref>{{cite book | last=Duggal | first=Kartar Singh | year=1988 | title=Philosophy and Faith of Sikhism | publisher=Himalayan Institute Press | id = ISBN 0-89389-109-6 | pages=xxii}}</ref>]] --> | |||
| '''Sikhism''' (]: {{Audio-IPA|Seekism.ogg|}} or {{Audio-IPA-nohelp|Sikism.ogg|}}; {{lang-pa|ਸਿੱਖੀ}}, ''{{IAST|sikkhī}}'', IPA: {{Audio-IPA-nohelp|Sikkhi.ogg|}}) is a ] that began in ] ] with the teachings of ] and nine successive human ]. This system of religious ] and expression has been traditionally known as the ] (literally ''the teachings of the gurus'') or the Sikh Dharma. ''Sikhism'' comes from the word ''Sikh'', which in turn comes from the ] root ''{{IAST|]}}'' meaning "disciple" or "learner", or ''{{IAST|śikṣa}}'' meaning "instruction."<ref>{{cite book | last=Singh | first=Khushwant | authorlink=Khushwant Singh | year=2006 | title=The Illustrated History of the Sikhs | publisher=Oxford University Press | location=India | id = ISBN 0-19-567747-1 | pages=15}}</ref><ref>{{pa icon}} {{cite book | last=Nabha | first=Kahan Singh | year=1930 | language=Punjabi | title=Gur Shabad Ratnakar Mahan Kosh/{{lang|pa|ਗੁਰ ਸ਼ਬਦ ਰਤਨਾਕਰ ਮਹਾਨ ਕੋਸ਼}}| url=http://www.ik13.com/online_library.htm#mahankosh | accessdate=2006-05-29 | pages=720}}</ref> Sikhism is the ] organised religion in the world. | |||
| The principal belief in Sikhism is faith in ]—'']''—represented using the sacred symbol of ''{{unicode|]}}''. Sikhism advocates the pursuit of salvation through disciplined, personal meditation on the name and message of God. The followers of Sikhism are ordained to follow the teachings of the ten ], or enlightened leaders, as well as the holy scripture—the '']''—which includes the selected works of many authors from diverse socioeconomic and religious backgrounds. The text was decreed by ], the tenth guru, as the final guru of the ]. Sikhism's traditions and teachings are distinctly associated with the history, society and culture of the ]. | |||
| Adherents of Sikhism are known as ]s (''students'' or ''disciples'') and number over 23 million across the world. However, most Sikhs live in the ] in ]; prior to ], millions of Sikhs lived in what is now the ] of ]. | |||
| ==What is ''Dharma''?== | |||
| {{main|Dharma}} | |||
| The word ''''']''''' (]; "धर्म" in the ] script) or ''''']''''' (]) is used in most or all philosophies and religions of ]n origin, the dharmic faiths, namely ] (Sanatana Dharma), ], ], and ]. Dharma also is practiced in the ] traditions. In its oldest form, ''dharman'', it first appears in the ]. | |||
| It is difficult to provide a single concise definition for ] ('']'' fails to convey its connoted complexity). The word has a long and varied history and complex set of meanings and interpretations. Certain ] and ]s have proposed a number of possible translations, from ''"justice"'' to ''"religion"'', however these definitions have evolved with their associated usage in western culture. | |||
| ''"Dharma"'' derives from the verbal root ''dhri'', which simply means ''"manner of being."'' The term must therefore be understood in its original (i.e. metaphysical) context, that of a conformity to a divine or creative principle at work in an individual and in nature. It represents the individual's internal law, to which obedience must be given if that individual life is to live in accordance with a divine will. This is what Hindus consider the sole or primary purpose of life. It explains how ] finds its place among the many modern definitions of the word dharma. | |||
| ], father of the 20th century school of ], defines it as such: | |||
| <blockquote> | |||
| It is, so to speak, the essential nature of a being, comprising the sum of its particular qualities or characteristics, and determining, by virtue of the tendencies or dispositions it implies, the manner in which this being will conduct itself, either in a general way or in relation to each particular circumstance. The same idea may be applied, not only to a single being, but also to an organized collectivity, to a species, to all the beings included in a cosmic cycle or state of existence, or even to the whole order of the universe; it then, at one level or another, signifies conformity with the essential nature of beings. (Guenon's ''"Introduction to the Study of Hindu Doctrines"'') | |||
| </blockquote> | |||
| This said, certain Western definitions of the word must be considered in the light of this original definition—that is, as branches from a single root. ], for example (while covering the entire scope it would seem), gives its ''primary'' definition as: | |||
| <blockquote> | |||
| that which is established or firm, steadfast decree, statute, ordinance, law; usage, practice, customary observance or prescribed conduct, duty; right, justice (often as a synonym of punishment); virtue, morality, religion, religious merit, good works, | |||
| </blockquote> | |||
| of which the first, ''"that which is established or firm"'' seems to be the most ancient and ]. Dharma is ] with the ] ''firmus'', the origin of the word firm. Meanings related to law, morality, scripture, and teachings were probably acquired through analogy, by being regarded as firm and called as such. For the phenomenological or psychological meaning, see ]. | |||
| Dr. ], an expert on Hindu philosophy and religion, describes Dharma as: | |||
| <blockquote> | |||
| a universal tradition has room for all faiths and all religious and spiritual practices regardless of the time or country of their origin. Yet it places religious and spiritual teachings in their appropriate place relative to the ultimate goal of Self-realization, to which secondary practices are subordinated. Sanatan Dharma also recognizes that the greater portion of human religious aspirations has always been unknown, undefined and outside of any institutionalized belief. Sanatan Dharma thereby gives reverence to individual spiritual experience over any formal religious doctrine. Wherever the Universal Truth is manifest; there is Sanatan Dharma—whether it is in a field of religion, art or science, or in the life of a person or community. Wherever the Universal Truth is not recognized, or is scaled down or limited to a particular group, book or person, even if done so in the name of God, there Sanatan Dharma ceases to function, whatever the activity is called. | |||
| </blockquote> | |||
| According to the Natchintanai Scripture: | |||
| <blockquote> | |||
| By the laws of Dharma that govern body and mind, you must fear sin and act righteously. Wise men by thinking and behaving in this way become worthy to gain bliss both here and hereafter. | |||
| </blockquote> | |||
| ], the lord of death, is also known as ''Dharmaraj'', since he works within the laws of ] and morality, regulated by divine principles. More familiar is the embodiment of Dharma in Lord ], an avatar of ]. The eldest Pandava, ] was referred to as ''Dharmaraj'' owing to his steadfastness to Truth & Dharma. | |||
| In scripture translations ''dharma'' is often best left untranslated, as it has acquired a lively life of its own in English that is more expressive than any simplistic translation. Common translations and glosses include ''right way of living'', ''divine law'', ''path of righteousness'', ''order'', ''faith'', ''natural harmony'', ''rule'', ''fundamental'', and ''duty''. ''Dharma'' may be used to refer to rules of the operation of the mind or universe in a metaphysical system, or to rules of comportment in an ethical system. | |||
| ==Status in India== | |||
| Followers of the Jain and Sikh faiths are considered broader Hindus according to the social-fabric of India. This is due to the coherence in ideologies, interworship and social intermingling of the followers of these faiths. | |||
| Constitutionally Jainism, Sikhism and Buddhism are not considered religious minorities in India, and are accorded the status of only populous minorities. Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists are governed by Hindu laws of social contracts like Marriage (Hindu Marriage Act) and Inheritance. | |||
| An extra-judicial observation of the ] in 2005 stated that ''"Sikhs and Jains are part of the wider Hindu community."''and ''"Thus, 'Hinduism' can be called a general religion and common faith of India whereas 'Jainism' is a special religion formed on the basis of quintessence of Hindu religion."'' <ref> Supreme Court of India judgment, CASE NO.: Appeal (civil) 4730 of 1999 Bal Patil & Anr. vs. Union of India & Ors ;DATE OF JUDGMENT: 08/08/2005</ref> | |||
| Hinduism and Buddhism also share many common features including ], ], ] and ], ], ] and ]. India also is home to the ] under ], the 14th ]. | |||
| The tricolour Indian flag has the ] (Wheel of Ashoka) in the central horizontal band. The ] is a replica of ]. | |||
| ==Birth and history== | |||
| {{see|Vedic civilization}} | |||
| {{see|Historical Vedic religion}} | |||
| {{see|History of Hinduism}} | |||
| The Dharmic religions, especially ], have their foundation in the ] of the ], who founded the ]--one of the earliest in the ] and the world. The civilization is called Vedic, because the 4 ], namely ], ], ] and ] form the holiest texts of Hinduism. The Vedic religious practices, in turn, have their roots in the original ] religion of the ], from which also sprang the ] faith. | |||
| The founders of all Dharmic religions have been influential Hindus who explored and concentrated on specific aspects of Hinduism to form a distinctive and relatively limited set of beliefs. | |||
| Ancient Hindu kingdoms arose and spread the religion and traditions across ], particularly ], ], ], ], ] and what is now central ]. A form of ] is practised in ], ], where Hindus form 90% of the population. Indian migrants have taken Hinduism and Hindu culture to ], ], ] and other countries in and around the ], and in the nations of the ] and the ]. Traditionally, Hinduism did not allow conversion of individuals from other religions to it. The spread of ] coupled with the non-conversion principles of Hinduism allowed later dharmic religions, like ], to be readily adopted by the natives who took to Indian culture but could not convert to Hinduism. These religions had similar features to those introduced by the ancient Hindu kingdoms which added to their popularity. | |||
| ==Exchanges with Abrahamic religions== | |||
| {{see|Comparing Eastern and Western religious traditions}} | |||
| Dharmic religions and Abrahamic religions were conceived over 3,000 years ago in two opposite parts of ], and share a complex and conflicting dynamic. Possible connections between Indo-Aryan traditions and Hebrew culture may date back to Abraham himself, since the ] influenced areas associated with him, notably ]. However, the words "'''Abraham'''" (Hebrew אַבְרָהָם = "father of a multitude" ) and "'''Brahma'''" (Hindu God of Creation, Sanskrit ब्रह्मा) are thought to be related due to their similar formation and meaning.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} The inscriptions found from excavations in ancient Mitanni sites reveal agreements entered into by invoking the names of Vedic gods such as Mitra and Varuna, thus possibly indicating that the Vedic religion predated the Abrahamic religions by a fair amount of time. More direct connections would have followed the absorption of Judea into the ] in which ] was the dominant faith. | |||
| Some speculative writers have claimed that Jesus visited India and learned spiritual practices there from Buddhist and Hindu monks. There is a passage in ] mentioning a man named Issa from the Middle East that have been used to support this theory. | |||
| In ], many ] ] practice a version of ] deeply influenced by ], and are known as '']''. | |||
| ==Dharma and Taoism== | |||
| ], which is rooted in ancient Chinese philosophies, includes philosophical ideas which are similar to Dharmic concepts. ], the Mandarin Chinese pronunciation of the character Way, is somewhat similar in the meaning to "Dharma". | |||
| ==Dharma and Zoroastrianism== | |||
| Like the ], which is the historical predecessor of the Dharmic religions, Zoroastrianism also derives from the religious principles of ] times. As such, and although Zoroastrianism is not considered a Dharmic religion, it is not surprising to find fundamental concepts similar to ''dharma'' and ''rta'' in the ] as well. | |||
| In Zoroastrianism however, ''arta'' - the Zoroastrian equivalent of ''rta'' - is the better developed of the two concepts, while '']'' - the equivalent of ''dharma'' - plays a far less prominent role. In Zoroastrian tradition, both principles are also divinities, with ''Arta '' " Righteousness" being one of the "great six" ]s. In comparison, ''Daena'' and her alter-ego (''Upamana'') ] are both much less significant. | |||
| Zoroastrianism does however preserve the ethical implications of ''daena''/''dharma'' as the 'right way of living', and "''daena''" is hence frequently translated as "religion". A linguistic relationship to the ] adjective '']'' "devout" has been postulated but is not certain. | |||
| ==See also== | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| ==References== | |||
| <references/> | |||
| == Further reading == | |||
| *''Eastern Religion: Origins - Beliefs - Practices - Holy Texts - Sacred Places'', ed. Michael Coogan. Oxford University Press, 2005. ISBN 0-19-522191-5 | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
Latest revision as of 22:24, 19 December 2007
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