In the context of Buddhism, the term dharma It has a broad and deep meaning. It mainly refers to the teachings of the Buddha, which include both doctrines and practices that lead to liberation from suffering and spiritual awakening. It is the universal truth that the Buddha discovered and taught throughout his life., representing the path to enlightenment.
Dharma can be understood from various aspects:
- Teaching of the Buddha: It refers to the teachings and doctrines transmitted by the Buddha. This includes the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, interdependence, the not-self, and other fundamental teachings that guide practitioners on their spiritual path.
- Natural law or reality: In a broader sense, Dharma refers to the ultimate truth or natural law that governs the universe. It is the nature of reality as it is, beyond human interpretations.
- The path of practice: Dharma also refers to the practice of these teachings. It is the path that Buddhists follow to cultivate wisdom, ethics and concentration, with the aim of overcoming suffering and reaching the nirvana.
Dharma is one of the three jewels or refuges of Buddhism, together with the Buddha (the teacher) and the Sangha (the community of practitioners). Buddhists take refuge in Dharma because it is the path that leads to universal liberation and truth that guides the life of a practitioner.
Therefore, Dharma is essentially the heart of Buddhist practice, providing both the theoretical orientation and the practice that allows beings to leave the cycle of suffering and achieve true freedom.