Core Buddhist Beliefs: The Dharma
Understanding the Dharma
- The Dharma is the teachings of Buddha which are expressed as laws or doctrines in Buddhism.
- It is considered the path to enlightenment, and to walk this path is to live according to the Dharma.
The Dharma Body
- Dharmakaya or the Dharma Body is considered the ultimate reality in Buddhism.
- It embodies the wisdom of the Buddha, transcending physical form and covering all things, situations and phenomena.
- Dharmakaya is a key concept that helps Buddhists to understand the immaterial essence of the Buddha and the Dharma.
Living according to the Dharma
- To live according to the Dharma is to abide by the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.
- The Four Noble Truths encompass understanding suffering, its roots, its end, and the path that leads to the end of suffering.
- The Eightfold Path serves as a guideline on conducting oneself spiritually, morally and intellectually in order to end suffering.
- Ultimately, through the alignment of thought, speech and action with the Dharma, Buddhists aim to achieve Nirvana or enlightenment.
Role of the Sangha in Preserving Dharma
- The Sangha, the Buddhist monastic community, plays a significant role in preserving the Dharma.
- They maintain the teachings of the Buddha by practising them, teaching them to others, and preserving Buddhist scriptures.
- The Sangha serves as a conduit, allowing the Dharma to be passed down through generations.
Impact of the Dharma on daily life
- For Buddhists, the Dharma has a profound impact on daily living, touching every aspect of life from moral decisions to daily habits.
- It guides interpersonal relationships, forms of worship, meditation, and the overall goal of achieving enlightenment.
The Dharma Wheel
- The Dharma Wheel, or Dharmachakra, symbolises the teachings of the Buddha.
- It exemplifies the cyclical nature of life, death, and rebirth.
- The wheel itself is split into eight spokes, each representing one aspect of the Eightfold Path.