Does the Dharma change and hopefully evolve with time? Should it?

[LuisDantas]

I would like some opinions.

IMO yes, it does, in practice if not in intent. And it is supposed to change and even to evolve, too, because Dharma is worthless unless it is applied, and the parameters of the world it is applied to change with time.

For example, it is now possible to spread teachings way faster, in many different ways, and to way more varied cultures than it used to be. I feel that does impact in the characteristics of the various schools and Dharmas. Historically, quite a few developed with remarkably regional outlooks, despite often having universal aspirations.

More significantly, there is also the matter that our "mundane" knowledge of psychology and social sciences has advanced a lot in the last century or so. That is a most fortunate and worthwhile resource, and all religious people will do well in taking advantage of it, including in their personal interpretations of Dharma (and of other faiths - I don't think it is any less true for Abrahamists, for instance).

Thoughts?

 

[Onkara]

Funny enough I was asking myself a similar question late last night and I don't have an answer at this point.

I am not clear on what Dharma actually is for us today.

 

[ConfusedKuri]

Good to see I'm not the only person who's confused on this issue. How can one uphold dharma and what is the right dharma for us to adhere to? =S

 

[Onkara]

There is an angle in Vedanta/Shaivism which is that dharma serves us as long as we are seperate from God; as individuals striving to find the divine or even Nirvana. Once we feel "united" then dharma has served it point. This makes moksha a part of dharma. Some say moksha is the final step of Dharma.

My point here is to not move the focus from dharma, but to consider that dharma is a way which is important in itself. Perhaps that helps to address our confusion a little bit

 

[Breathe]

It depends upon what definition of Dharma one speaks of, I guess. I don't think there is going to be a satisfactory answer.


The idea of dharma as being "harmony" and "natural order", this Dharma I doubt is going to change. When does natural order suddenly change?

Dharma as religious teachings? To some extent: dropping away cultural and traditional baggage and out of date explanations for creation stories and so on. However, there are some aspects of the dharma that do not change: I doubt there will be much change in the idea of "Life is dukkha" changing within Buddhism, for example.

Do our individual dharmas change throughout life? Yes and no, I think - and this is even excluding the four ashramas. Our dharmas for example will always include ahimsa and moksha/nirvana, but our dharmas depending can be caring for our children, studying and so on.




Just my two cents that I've thrown out there.

 

[doppelganger]

The Dharma necessarily has to be alive and growing to be the Dharma. When it stops growing and evolving, so does the person.

http://www.religiousforums.com/forum/theological-concepts/40461-states-awareness-spirit.html

Variations on this idea are sometimes referred to as "Process Theology" in the West.

 

[TurkeyOnRye]

I think most teachings are disposable, and if they aren't, they 'must' evolve. There comes a point though, where all conventional teachings become basically nonsense, and clinging to them can actually be a hindrance.

 

[Engyo]

I think most teachings are disposable, and if they aren't, they 'must' evolve. There comes a point though, where all conventional teachings become basically nonsense, and clinging to them can actually be a hindrance.

You mean like how to hunt mammoth by running them off a cliff?

 

[nameless]

imo, it depends on how we view dharma, if dharma is all about essence of truth, and not those what we see outside (eg. buddhism, hinduism etc), then the dharma does not change, so this dharma is eternal.

 

[TurkeyOnRye]

You mean like how to hunt mammoth by running them off a cliff?

I think everyone today knows that it's pointless to try hunting mammoths, no matter what the method is.

 

[Rainbow Mage]

If you mean the Buddha's dharma specifically, then it depends what you mean should change. If you mean the dharma as in the universal way within everything, how can it change? Not sure what you mean here.

 

[LuisDantas]

Proud, the Dharma is manifest. It has been expressed through words, and needs interpretation to approach the original, living meaning. Even if it were transmited person-to-person and all of its adherents were Arahants or even Buddhas, the circunstances around them would be subject to change.

It is my firm belief that for that reason, as well for others, the Dharma must change along time. Except perhaps in its most non-manifest form.

 

[Rainbow Mage]

Can you give specifics Luis about what you mean exactly?

 

[LuisDantas]

What is Dharma, Proud? Where does it exist?

 

[Onkara]

I have read that dharma exists in our individual hearts. Would anyone agree to that and if not why not, please?

 

[LuisDantas]

Yes, I agree. Dharma to me is by necessity a living and somewhat protean thing.

 

[Rainbow Mage]

Does the dharma that lives in everything change or not?

 

[Onkara]

Does the dharma that lives in everything change or not?

Based on my point about it being in our heart, I would say it does not change. What changes is our mind under the impulse of desire, replusion, etc.

I would need to look further to confirm.

 

[Rainbow Mage]

Based on my point about it being in our heart, I would say it does not change. What changes is our mind under the impulse of desire, replusion, etc.

I would need to look further to confirm.

That's what I thought. Our understandings of this dharma can and do change, but we need to be careful about too much change. Deviation from this dharma according to some thought anyway is originally what caused maya and samsara.

 

[Onkara]

That's what I thought. Our understandings of this dharma can and do change, but we need to be careful about too much change. Deviation from this dharma according to some thought anyway is originally what caused maya and samsara.

Maya is what causes the deviation and samsara (in hindu thought). That is why 'we must make an effort to keep on track' and follow dharma to 'escape' samsara.