What is Dharma?

As far as Buddhists are concerned, the word "dharma" is used to refer to the Buddha's teachings, which help us move from our current state of confusion and unhappiness to enlightenment and happiness. Just as the English word "religion" comes from the Latin word meaning "to unite", the word dharma is derived from the Sanskrit "dhar", meaning to hold or support. Essentially, dharma firmly supports us by preventing us from descending into lower, miserable states where we have to suffer uncontrollable suffering for a long time.

Buddha's First Dharma Teaching

When the Buddha attained enlightenment in Bodhgaya 2,500 years ago, he was initially reluctant to teach the Dharma, fearing that it might be too deep and difficult to understand, or that people who were engrossed in worldly pleasures would not be interested. Early texts say that Brahma, the creator of the universe, appeared before the Buddha and asked him to teach him the Dharma for the benefit of sentient beings, as there were surely some who could attain enlightenment. Along with this, the Buddha gave his first Dharma teaching in Deer Park about the Four Noble Truths, which form the framework of the entire Buddhist path and are the foundation of all Buddhist traditions in the world today.

The first truth that the Buddha taught is that life is always unsatisfying. No matter how happy we are at any given moment, this happiness is impermanent and temporary. It is universal - we all experience it in our lives. Whatever happiness we have is not permanent and can turn into unhappiness at any time. The second truth is that our unhappiness does not come from outside, but from our own attachment to getting what we want and above all from our ignorance of how things really are. The third truth states that freedom from all suffering and problems is possible, and the fourth truth outlines a path which, if we follow, can achieve eternal freedom from all problems.

The purpose of the Buddha's teachings is to eradicate suffering

At Buddha Palam, all dharma teachings were verbally recited and memorized. In this way the Buddha's teachings were passed down through the generations until they were compiled into manuscripts. Today, there are more than a hundred sutras, rule books and philosophical discourses for followers of the Buddha, collectively known as the Tripitaka or the Three Baskets. According to tradition, the Buddha is sometimes said to have given a total of 84,000 Dharma teachings, which help overcome 84,000 complex emotions. Although the number is arbitrary, it is simply a way of showing how many types of problems, frustrations and sufferings we have to endure, and the broad teachings the Buddha gave to deal with them all.

In fact, all of the Buddha's teachings are about overcoming suffering. The Buddha was not interested in metaphysical speculations and went so far as to refuse to answer certain questions concerning the self and the universe, because pondering these issues would not bring us closer to liberation. Buddha saw the human condition, saw that we are all suffering and then found a solution. This is why the Buddha is often regarded as the physician and the teachings of the Dharma as the medicine. This dharma medicine helps to solve all our problems in one go.

However, there are three ornaments of refuge - Buddha, Dharma and Sangam - of which Dharma is the true refuge. Even if the Buddhas preached the Dharma, a click would not do the miracle of solving our problems. And though the Sangha gives us support and encouragement, they cannot compel us to practice Dharma. In fact we must study and engage in Dharma as ourselves: that is the only way out of suffering. As a result, we save ourselves.

(Part 1)