The Living Teaching

Terms

Sanskrit : Dharma (धर्म)

Pali : Dhamma

Etymology

The word Dhamma is the Pali form of the Sanskrit Dharma.

It comes from the Sanskrit root dhṛ which means:

— to support;

— to bear;

— to maintain;

— to preserve.

Dhamma is that which supports life, illuminates the mind, and guides towards understanding.

Translations in the major languages of Buddhism

Sanskrit : Dharma

Pali : Dhamma

Chinese : 法 (Fǎ)

Tibetan : ཆོས་ (Chö)

Japanese : 法 (Hō)

Korean : 법 (Beop)

Vietnamese : Pháp

Thai : ธรรม (Tham)

English : Dhamma • Teaching

French : Teaching • Truth • Natural Law

Definition

In Theravada, the word Dhamma has several complementary meanings.

It refers to:

— the teaching of the Buddha;

— the truth discovered by the Buddha;

— the natural law that governs existence;

— the phenomena that make up reality.

Dhamma is not just a collection of texts.

It is a living experience.

The Dhamma taught by the Buddha

After his Awakening, the Buddha dedicated his life to transmitting the Dhamma.

His teachings mainly concern:

— suffering (Dukkha);

— its causes;

— its cessation;

— the path that leads to liberation.

Dhamma is thus presented as a path of understanding and transformation.

Dhamma as Reality

Dhamma is not only what the Buddha taught.

It is also what he discovered.

It refers to the profound laws of existence:

— impermanence;

— interdependence;

— causality;

— the permanent transformation of phenomena.

Dhamma is present everywhere, whether we recognize it or not.

Dhamma as Practice

The Buddha encouraged everyone to verify the teachings for themselves.

Dhamma is not based on blind belief.

It requires:

— to observe;

— to reflect;

— to experiment;

— to transform one's life.

Dhamma becomes real when it is lived.

The Traditional Qualities of Dhamma

Ancient texts describe the Dhamma as:

— well-expounded;

— directly observable;

— timeless;

— inviting to experience;

— accessible to everyone;

— personally verifiable.

Understanding according to Traditions

THERAVADA

Dhamma primarily refers to the teaching preserved in the Pali Canon.

MAHAYANA

Dharma is the universal truth taught by all Buddhas.

VAJRAYANA

Dharma includes the teachings, methods of transformation, and the direct recognition of the nature of mind.

Associated Images and Symbols

THE WHEEL OF DHAMMA

Symbol of the teaching in motion.

THE BOOK

Transmission of wisdom.

THE LAMP

Light of understanding.

THE PATH

Progression towards Awakening.

Associated Concepts

001_BODHI

002_BUDDHA

003_DHARMA

004_SANGHA

011_TRIRATNA

013_REFUGE

014FOURNOBLE_TRUTHS

019NOBLEPATH

Quote

« The Dhamma is visible here and now, timeless, inviting one to come and see for oneself. »

— Traditional formula from the Pali Canon

Buddhachannel — A Simple Practice

Today, choose a single teaching.

A sentence.

A verse.

A reflection.

Read it slowly.

Then ask yourself:

« How can I live this teaching today? »

Dhamma is not measured by the number of texts read.

It is revealed in how we live.

Keywords

Dhamma • Dharma • Teaching • Truth • Natural Law • Wisdom • Observation • Practice • Buddha • Liberation

Multilingual Buddhist Encyclopedia Buddhachannel

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