The Essence Of Dharma

The values of life which are universal and eternal should remain an integral part of the curriculum in the world educational system. It is through education alone the essence of Dharma can be inculcated. A single Vedic statement that "Truth or Reality is one, but it is defined in various ways by the learned", is the corner stone of democracy and secularism. An individual, especially student has to develop an attitude of tolerance and respect for differing opinions. He should also learn to discriminate between good and bad. Dharma as a code of righteous conduct can alone be the source of the value system, which can help build a world, free of conflicts, violence and non-cooperation. 

 

The bounties of nature do not belong to any one, "they are the creations of the cosmic spirit". It enjoins upon us to replenish the environment before we draw from it for our consumption. Sharing and caring thus becomes the principal behavioural value, while interacting with the eco-system. Dharma guides us on how to deal with nature. It leads us to non-violence and non-exploitative attitude in our behaviour. In essence, Dharma unites us with fellow human beings, removes all differences and seeks unity of mankind, respect diversity, establishes a symbiotic relationship with the environment and provides a holistic vision of realizing that "All is One".
 

What we need today is a paradigm for individual and social behaviour, which defines the parameters of relationship not only between individual, social groups, institutions and nations, but also between human kind and the environment. Instead of a disintegrated society and fractured personalities, we must build an integrated society composed of "total and balanced" personalities of its constituents, if we want the humankind to survive. 

 The mechanistic world-view has not succeeded in creating a society with harmony among its members and interaction with the ecosystem. In Indian view of life, Dharma is not confined to a community or bounded by the limits of space and time. It is universal and eternal. It is important to recognise the difference between Dharma and religion.