Dharma, Karma, Samsara, Enlightenment

Dharma

Dharma has a range of meanings in Buddhism but is typically used to refer to the teachings of the Buddha in the form of buddhadharma. It encompasses the teachings of the Buddha that work to overcome dukkha and achieve nirvana, as well as the cosmic law of the universe seen in the Three Marks of Existence. For some Buddhists, dharma refers to the ultimate truth or reality of life. Dharma is one of the Three Jewels in Buddhism—Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha (monastic community)—that all Buddhists seek refuge in to follow the teachings of the Buddha. As a true reality, dharma is present throughout life and is expressed through loving-kindness. Through discovering the true nature of dharma, an individual can experience nirvana.

Below are two videos from two Buddhist monks on their views on Dharma:

*Click on the video to play; then click ‘cc’ for captions.

*Click on the video to play; then click ‘cc’ for captions.

Karma

This can help us to understand what Buddhists mean by anattā, the concept of no fixed self. Although it appears as though the world is filled with many different and individual entities, in reality, everything is interconnected. Dependent Origination posits that everything that comes into existence relies on other things for its existence. The whole process is linked by cause and effect, and this cycle is known as karma.

In Buddhism, karma denotes action. The most important aspect behind our actions is our intention: what is the intention behind carrying out this action? Is it prompted by loving kindness, or is it driven by anger or greed? Importantly, karma does not necessarily pertain to fault but rather to accepting responsibility for one’s own life.

Here are two videos, one from Thich Nhat Hanh and one from the London Buddhist Centre, talking about the meaning of karma:

*Click on the video to play; then click ‘cc’ for captions.

*Click on the video to play; then click ‘cc’ for captions.

Samsara and Nirvana

The cycle of life and death is called samsara, and your karma will determine whether you are reborn again and again. In Buddhism, there is no soul; anattā, the concept that there is no fixed self, signifies the absence of a soul. What continues from one life to the next is ever-changing karma.

This can be illustrated by the image of one candle being used to light another. The first and second candles are not the same, and neither is the flame, but the second candle’s flame is dependent upon the first.

Enlightenment, or Nirvana, is considered a concept difficult to comprehend unless experienced personally. Nirvana is the liberation from dukkha and from samsara. When the Buddha attained Nirvana, he did not become a god; he remained a man—he became awakened. When an individual achieves nirvana, they are freed from dukkha and will not be reborn. Some Buddhists believe this nature, referred to as Buddha nature, exists in everyone.

Reflection

What might loving-kindness look like in everyday life?

What are your own thoughts on the idea of dependent origination?

Overcoming Dukkha

Buddha had dedicated his life to overcoming dukkha and sharing his wisdom with all other humans so they too could overcome dukkha and become enlightened. We have seen, through the Three Marks of Existence, the three characteristics of life, the three things humans must deal with on a daily basis. Knowing these is the first step in overcoming dukkha.

The Four Noble Truths

The second step to overcoming dukkha is through knowing the Four Noble Truths:

1. Life is characterised by dukkha.
2. Dukkha is caused by many things, such as craving, hatred, wanting things to be a certain way or not a certain way, and trying to find permanence in an impermanent world.
3. To overcome dukkha, we must be aware of our cravings and hatred and not let them guide our actions. Instead of craving, we should be content. Instead of hatred, we should develop love.
4. Overcoming this is extremely difficult, but the end result is a state of happiness and peace called Nibbāna (or Nirvana) – the way to do this is through the Middle Way.

Buddha had dedicated his life to overcoming dukkha and sharing his wisdom with all other humans so they too could overcome dukkha and become enlightened. We have seen through the Three Marks of Existence the three characteristics of life, the three things humans must deal with on a daily basis. Knowing these is the first step in overcoming dukkha.

Watch the video below, where Sarah explains the Four Noble Truths:

The Noble Eightfold Path

Living the Middle Way and overcoming dukkha can be achieved by following the third step, which is the Noble Eightfold Path. The Noble Eightfold Path is usually represented as a wheel, as it is not meant to be a series of steps taken in a particular order but rather an ongoing practice.

The Eightfold Path is broken down into three main headings:

Wisdom

1. The right understanding of life and Dharma

2. Right attitude and motivations

Morality

3. Speaking positively to and about others

4. Behaving well and holding positive relationships

5. Having a job that makes a positive contribution to the world

Mental Training

6. Putting effort in to make every thought and activity worthwhile

7. Being mindful about what is going on within you and around you

8. Practising meditation to develop loving-kindness

The Eightfold Path is often illustrated as a wheel:

Watch the video below where Sarah explains the eightfold path in more detail:

This video here is of Brother Troi Nguyen Luc discussing the importance of peaceful relationships:

*Click on the video to play; then click ‘cc’ for captions.

Life as a Buddhist Monk

Below are a series of films that show different experiences of what life is like as a Buddhist monk:

*Click on the video to play; then click ‘cc’ for captions.

*Click on the video to play; then click ‘cc’ for captions.

*Click on the video to play; then click ‘cc’ for captions.

Reflection

What is your own reflection on the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path?

Do either of these resonate with your own life?

Below is a 20-minute guided meditation from Thich Nhat Hanh if you would like to listen:

*Click on the video to play; then click ‘cc’ for captions.

Dukkha and the Middle Way

Dukkha can be translated to mean suffering, among other things, such as ‘problem’. In Buddhism, the term dukkha applies to every aspect of life and refers to all kinds of suffering, including everyday suffering. Siddhartha was determined to find a way to overcome dukkha. He first started to live as an ascetic, giving up all worldly pleasures and withdrawing himself from the world. However, this did not help him achieve his aim. It seemed that neither his life of luxury in the palace nor his life as an ascetic helped him to overcome dukkha.

So, as we heard in Sarah’s video, he sat under a bodhi tree and vowed to meditate until he gained the wisdom to overcome dukkha. Through this, he clearly saw the true nature of life and the way to achieve permanent happiness; he became enlightened.

Buddha taught there to be Three Marks of Existence. The three things that we as humans are dealing with in everyday life.

Out of this came the idea of The Middle Way – having no more than necessary to be content. In this sense, ‘middle’ means centred and is both a state of mind and a way of life. This is how Buddha went on to live the rest of his life. He gained a following, who became known as bhikkhus, and he encouraged them to give up all possessions that were not necessary.

Forms of Buddhism

Buddha’s teachings were not written down while he was alive. After the Buddha’s death, bhikkhus came together to start writing his teachings down. However, from this came disagreements on how bhikkhus – Buddha’s followers – should live. Some believed that they had to give up their jobs, homes, families, and possessions, just as Buddha had done. Others disagreed and believed that enlightenment was available to all, and living exactly how Buddha did was not necessary.

Buddhism can be found all around the world, originating in India, it spread to Tibet, Nepal, Sri Lanka, China, Japan, Korea, and beyond. There are many schools of Buddhism, such as Zen Buddhism and the schools of Rinzai and Sōtō, Pure Land Buddhism, and Tantric (or Vajrayana) Buddhism. The two main groups of Buddhism that we may be familiar with here in the UK are Theravāda Buddhism and Mahāyāna Buddhism.

Watch the video below to learn about the different Buddhist scriptures, the role of dharma in Buddhism, and the Sangha – the Buddhist community:

*Click on the video to play; then click ‘cc’ for captions.

Reflection 

What does the idea of radical compassion mean to you?

What are your own thoughts about the idea of the ‘middle way’?

The Buddha

Buddha was a man and not a god. A Buddhist, then, is someone who follows the teachings of the Buddha; they do not worship the Buddha or any god.

The Buddha lived thousands of years ago and was the founder of the religion of Buddhism. ‘Buddha’ means ‘awakened one’, and the Buddha was an enlightened being who dedicated his life to teaching others about how they, too, can achieve enlightenment.

The Buddha was a man named Siddhartha Gautama, born into a wealthy Indian family. The story of Gautama’s life is that his father did not want him to be exposed to the troubles of the world and so tried to shield him from them.

As he grew, Siddhartha went out of his palace and into the city, where he saw what is known as the four sights, and he realised the world is full of suffering:

1. Sickness
2. Death
3. Ageing
4. Asceticism

Watch the video below where OneSpirit tutor, Sarah, discusses the life of Buddha:

Reflection

What does the word ‘suffering’ mean to you?

How about the word ‘happiness’?

Buddhism

Reflection

How would you describe your true essence?

Would you use the word ‘soul’ or something else?