Dhamma (Dharma)

Pāli Term: Dhamma Sanskrit Term: Dharma

Dhamma is widely considered the most important and multi-faceted term in Buddhism. It does not have a single English equivalent because it covers a wide range of meanings depending on the context.

1. Etymology

The word is derived from the root dhr, which means "to hold," "to bear," "to support," or "to uphold."

Conceptually, Dhamma refers to that which "upholds" the natural order of the universe. It is the underlying law that supports reality, preventing it from falling into chaos.

2. The Four Major Meanings of Dhamma

In Buddhist philosophy, the term is generally used in four distinct ways:

A. Dhamma as The Teaching (The Doctrine) This is the most common usage in daily life. It refers to the verbal and written instructions given by the Buddha. Here, Dhamma is the "Map" that describes the territory.

• The Scriptures: The Suttas and Vinaya.

• The Triple Gem: When Buddhists take refuge in the "Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha," they are taking refuge in the Teaching as the guide to liberation.

B. Dhamma as The Truth (Universal Law) This refers to the "Territory" itself—the objective reality that the Teaching describes. Even if no Buddha were born to teach it, this Dhamma exists eternally as the law of nature.

• Cosmic Law: The law of gravity, the law of kamma (moral cause and effect), and the law of impermanence (anicca).

• The Ultimate Truth: Nibbāna is often referred to as the "Deathless Element" or the "Unconditioned Dhamma."

C. Dhamma as Phenomena (Constituent Elements) In the context of Abhidhamma (Buddhist psychology) and meditation, dhammas (plural, lowercase) refer to the smallest building blocks of experience.

• Mind and Matter: Every distinct moment of consciousness, feeling, perception, or physical sensation is a "dhamma."

• Example: "All conditioned dhammas are impermanent" means that every single physical and mental event is temporary.

D. Dhamma as Mental Objects In the classification of the senses, just as the eye sees forms and the ear hears sounds, the mind thinks about dhammas.

• Mind-Objects: Ideas, concepts, memories, and thoughts that appear to the mind's eye are technically called dhammas in this specific sensory context.

3. The Two Aspects of Practice

When applied to the practitioner's life, Dhamma is often divided into two stages:

1. Pariyatti Dhamma: The theoretical study of the scriptures. This is "learning the map."

2. Patipatti Dhamma: The practice of the teaching through meditation and ethical conduct. This is "walking the path."

4. Summary

To understand Dhamma is to understand the total system of Buddhism: it is the Law of nature, the Teaching that reveals that law, the Practice that accords with that law, and the Goal (Nibbāna) realized by that law.