4 ms·
Originally, "dharma" just meant "thing/object". More abstract (and derived therefrom) is a bifurcation into "true thing, real thing, truth, etc.." and on the ot
by novalis78 9y ago
Originally, "dharma" just meant "thing/object". More abstract (and derived therefrom) is a bifurcation into "true thing, real thing, truth, etc.." and on the other end of the spectrum "object, mental object, thought". Think of Carolus Linnaeus and not so much religion.
- jmagoon 9y agoI understand the historical origin (though claiming it has a single original meaning is an extremely strong position), but the common understanding for Buddhists refers to the teachings of the Buddha and the eightfold path, which is very much a religious term. I generally don't mind people taking things from religion in the punk rock sense, but I guess I just don't get this one.
- ue_ 9y agoThe word seems to be used in both contexts in the Buddhist Pali canon, at least from what I can tell.