Dharmashrink’s Weblog

Some Thoughts on Dharma

Dharma has been translated in many different ways. Dharma can be thought of as duty, the right way of living, or proper conduct; to use a word from another spiritual context, perhaps as similar to righteousness.

Another source interprets dharma as meaning protection,in this case referring to protection from ignorance and the problems and suffering that go along with it. Like many words that try to give labels to our spiritual natures, dharma has a rich, multifaceted character. In literal translation, in can be thought of as “that which uphold and supports.”

I prefer to thing of the idea of dharma as The Way of the Higher Truths. It is a body of knowledge that is assumed to be a higher, ultimate truth, but I also think of it as in essence the process by which we live our life so as to have the opportunity to experience truth.

Soooo, I guess that means we can use Dharma to get to the Dharma.

The Purpose of the Dharma

…is to purify the minds so that this life, our journey through time, has as much meaning as possible. By practicing the dharma we improve the quality of our lives.

The dharma focuses on the development of inner peace and happiness, not on achievements in the external world or accumulation of material things. The practice of dharma is open to all, regardless of class or income; in fact, lack of class and lack of income may make it easier.

Be in Love with Yr Life

         * Jack Kerouac

Sometimes the hardest thing and the right thing are the same.

         * The Fray

The Language of Dharma 

The language we use for dharma should tell you something about it…

For example, we study the dharma, or you may practice the dharma, but you’ll notice that you don’t sit on your ass and wait for it to show up the dharma. You also don’t think about it once in a while and then give up the dharma.

Dharma requires time as well as effort; it requireds deep introspection over an extended period; a commitment to a life of seeking.

Dharma Rocks!

Barry