origin of dhamma?

A forum for beginners and members of other Buddhist traditions to ask questions about Theravāda (The Way of the Elders). Responses require moderator approval before they are visible in order to double-check alignment to Theravāda orthodoxy.
Post Reply
diamind
Posts: 53
Joined: Wed Aug 02, 2017 7:26 am

origin of dhamma?

Post by diamind »

Where did the word dhamma come from? Was it used before the time of buddha? Or did the buddha invent it?
Has the word been adopted by other religions or its a word/language that is only used in Buddhism?
User avatar
cappuccino
Posts: 12879
Joined: Thu Feb 11, 2016 1:45 am
Contact:

Re: origin of dhamma?

Post by cappuccino »

the language spoken by Buddha is unknown

it was translated into Pali

I find this comforting as I dislike Pali
User avatar
DooDoot
Posts: 12032
Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2017 11:06 pm

Re: origin of dhamma?

Post by DooDoot »

The word 'dharma' was used before the time of buddha, such as in the Brahmanism scripture Rigveda (a scripture mentioned in the Pali suttas as existing before the Buddha). From Wikipedia, it means:
The Classical Sanskrit noun dharma is a derivation from the root dhṛ, which means "to [up]hold, maintain, keep", and takes a meaning of "what is established or firm", and hence "law". It is derived from an older Vedic Sanskrit n-stem dharman-, with a literal meaning of "bearer, supporter", in a religious sense conceived as an aspect of Rta.

In the Rigveda, the word appears as an n-stem, dhárman-, with a range of meanings encompassing "something established or firm" (in the literal sense of prods or poles). Figuratively, it means "sustainer" and "supporter" (of deities). It is semantically similar to the Greek Themis ("fixed decree, statute, law").[17] In Classical Sanskrit, the noun becomes thematic: dharma-.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dharma
In the history of Buddhism, one of the first five disciples, Assaji, was met by Sariputta (who would become the Buddha's chief disciple). Sariputta, a non-Buddhist, asks:
"Serene are your features, friend. Pure and bright is your complexion. Under whom, friend, have you gone forth as an ascetic? Who is your teacher and whose doctrine (dhamma) do you profess?"

https://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/aut ... 090.html#i
The word is used in most Indian religions:
Dharma is a concept of central importance in Indian philosophy and religion. It has multiple meanings in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dharma
I personally prefer to focus on the root meaning, highlight above, namely, "upholder, supporter, maintainer, sustainer". This allows giving a common meaning to the different common contextual uses of dhamma, such as "phenomena", "law", "truth", "practise", "path", "teachings", "doctrine", etc. In other words, dhamma such as phenomena, law, truth, practise, path, etc, are dhammas because they "uphold", "sustain", "maintain" or "support" life so life is free from suffering. Thus, the most important meaning of "dhamma" is its soteriological (salvation; survival) purpose.
There is always an official executioner. If you try to take his place, It is like trying to be a master carpenter and cutting wood. If you try to cut wood like a master carpenter, you will only hurt your hand.

https://soundcloud.com/doodoot/paticcasamuppada
https://soundcloud.com/doodoot/anapanasati
diamind
Posts: 53
Joined: Wed Aug 02, 2017 7:26 am

Re: origin of dhamma?

Post by diamind »

cappuccino wrote: Sun Aug 19, 2018 3:48 pm the language spoken by Buddha is unknown

it was translated into Pali

I find this comforting as I dislike Pali
I love pali, Why do you not like it?
Slowlearner5
Posts: 37
Joined: Wed May 30, 2018 1:28 pm

Re: origin of dhamma?

Post by Slowlearner5 »

If dhamma is not a construct, what does it feel like once realised within. Is it different to different body types and senses, I wonder. Is it throughout the body or more central to the senses, nerves...
User avatar
cappuccino
Posts: 12879
Joined: Thu Feb 11, 2016 1:45 am
Contact:

Re: origin of dhamma?

Post by cappuccino »

diamind wrote: Tue Aug 21, 2018 5:32 amI love pali, Why do you not like it?
I prefer Sanskrit

Nirvana rather than Nibbana, etc.
budo
Posts: 1752
Joined: Thu Nov 11, 2010 12:16 am

Re: origin of dhamma?

Post by budo »

From what I've read Pali is important as Sanskrit was an exclusive Brahmin caste language and that Pali was to differentiate Buddhists from Brahmins and their caste system. I'm not sure how valid this is, but I read this from PhD scholar on Buddhism a while ago.
Post Reply