Dharma: Difference between revisions
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==In Theosophy== | ==In Theosophy== | ||
[[Annie Besant]] described the Theosophical meaning of the term "dharma" as follows: | |||
<blockquote>Dharma may now be defined as the “inner nature of a thing at any given stage of [[evolution]], and the law of the next stage of its unfolding”. . . . Take those two thoughts together, and then you will understand why perfection must be reached by following one’s own Dharma. My Dharma is the stage of evolution which my nature has reached in unfolding the seed of divine life which is myself, plus the law of life according to which the next stage is to be performed by me. It belongs to this separated self. I must know the stage of my growth, and I must know the law which will enable me to grow further; then I know my Dharma, and by following that Dharma I am going towards perfection.<ref>Annie Besant, ''Dharma'', (Adyar, Madras: The Theosophical Publishing House, 19869), 17.</ref></blockquote> | |||
=== Duty === | |||
The word ''dharma'' is sometimes translated as "duty", which may be seen as one aspect of it. Even the [[Masters of Wisdom]] are bounded by duty although it is a willingly accepted one. In [[Mahatma Letter No. 126#Page 1 transcription, image, and notes|one of his letters]] [[Koot Hoomi|Master K.H.]] wrote: | |||
<blockquote>My first duty is to my Master. And duty, let me tell you, is for us, stronger than any friendship or even love; as without this abiding principle which is the indestructible cement that has held together for so many milleniums, the scattered custodians of nature's grand secrets — our Brotherhood, nay, our doctrine itself — would have crumbled long ago into unrecognisable atoms.<ref>Vicente Hao Chin, Jr., ''The Mahatma Letters to A.P. Sinnett in chronological sequence'' No. 126 (Quezon City: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), ???.</ref></blockquote> | |||
==In Hindusim== | ==In Hindusim== | ||
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===Books=== | ===Books=== | ||
*[http://hpb.narod.ru/DharmaAB.htm# Dharma] by Annie Besant | *[http://hpb.narod.ru/DharmaAB.htm# Dharma] by Annie Besant | ||
== Notes == | |||
<references/> | |||
[[Category:Sanskrit terms]] | [[Category:Sanskrit terms]] | ||
Revision as of 20:24, 2 July 2014
In Theosophy
Annie Besant described the Theosophical meaning of the term "dharma" as follows:
Dharma may now be defined as the “inner nature of a thing at any given stage of evolution, and the law of the next stage of its unfolding”. . . . Take those two thoughts together, and then you will understand why perfection must be reached by following one’s own Dharma. My Dharma is the stage of evolution which my nature has reached in unfolding the seed of divine life which is myself, plus the law of life according to which the next stage is to be performed by me. It belongs to this separated self. I must know the stage of my growth, and I must know the law which will enable me to grow further; then I know my Dharma, and by following that Dharma I am going towards perfection.[1]
Duty
The word dharma is sometimes translated as "duty", which may be seen as one aspect of it. Even the Masters of Wisdom are bounded by duty although it is a willingly accepted one. In one of his letters Master K.H. wrote:
My first duty is to my Master. And duty, let me tell you, is for us, stronger than any friendship or even love; as without this abiding principle which is the indestructible cement that has held together for so many milleniums, the scattered custodians of nature's grand secrets — our Brotherhood, nay, our doctrine itself — would have crumbled long ago into unrecognisable atoms.[2]
In Hindusim
In Buddhism
Online resources
Articles
- Karma and Dharma: Twin Keys to the Heroic Journey by Joy Mills
Books
- Dharma by Annie Besant