Arya Samaj

Devo · Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 7:29 pm Post subject: Dharma & Religion.

Dharma and Religion
by
Dr. Tanaji Acharya
Vedic Sanatan Dharma

Dharma and Religion are being taken as synonyms. But if we try to understand their roots, nature and style, the seem to be quite different.

1. RELIGION: It is basically a Latin word. It’s meaning according to the oxford Dictionary is “belief in superhuman controlling power, especially in personal God or Gods entitled to obedience and worship; expressions of this in worship; particular systems of faith and worship; thing that one is devoted to; life under monastic vows”

The important things in religion are personal belief, personal God or Gods, obedience, way of worship or systems of faith. All these things seem to be personal and subjective matters. They may differ from person to person according to his own belief and conviction. So no one is supposed to interfere in others’ belief, because faith or belief is the subject of personal freedom. It is not something to be discussed openly or publicly.

2. DHARMA: This Sanskrit word is derived from the root Dham Dhame. It means to hold or accommodate or possess or follow which is essential to survive in the world for an individual or society together with due harmony and consistency with the whole universe without fail. It is something suitable, relevant and worthy to act upon mentally and physically for the pleasure of all. Opposite of it is Adharma, which is not beneficial to anyone in any respect and hampers the peace, propriety and progress of the world.

The word Dharma is used in various context’s in the Vedas, The Upanishads, is the Bhagavad Gita , etc. such as virtue, merit, attribute, nature, quality, duty, law, righteousness, propriety, etc. All noble qualities, thoughts and actions are included in Dharma according to Manu, Patangali and others. Truth, non violence, non stealing, celibacy, and non possession are the main heading of the principles of Dharma, A Dharma is just the opposite of Dharm.

Lets us compare Dharma and Religion on the basis of their practical styles.

Dharma: One
Religion: Many

Dharma: Since the very beginning of creation.
Religion: Since the very beginning of a person.

Dharma: No founder in the form of a human being.
Religion: Founded by a person.

Dharma: Principles are more important.
Religion: Persons are more important

Dharma: Principles are made by God, The Creator, who is perfect.
Religion: Laws are made by a person who is perfect

Dharma: Laws of Nature are laws of Dharma.
Religion: Laws made by a person are the laws of Religion.They may be contradictory to the laws of nature.

Dharma: Laws are elastic and suitable to all, always.
Religion: Laws are rigid and not necessarily and not always suitable.

Dharma: There is scope for improvement, according to place, person and time.
Religion: There is no scope for improvement, according to place, person and time.

Dharma: Based up on truth and facts.
Religion: Based upon beliefs and miracles.

Dharma: Principles and actions make a person important and noble.
Religion: A person makes laws and orders important.

Dharma: Universal.
Religion: Temporary (sectarian).

Dharma: Good to all and bad to none in all respects.
Religion: Good only to believers and bad to on believers.

Dharma: By birth, one can be Dharmic or by just being a good person at all.
Religion: To be a religious person, one must bring faith upon the founder person and undergo ritual process

Dharma: One can achieve God directly without bringing any faith upon a messenger or personal God/s.
Religion: One cannot achieve God directly without bringing faith upon a messenger, a Prophet or founder.

Dharma: Main aim is to make the thoughts and actions of a person nobler for all. This is known as an act of purification. Dharma is alike for all Humanity.
Religion: Main aim is to convert people from one religion to another.

Prabhat · Posted: Fri Sep 01, 2006 3:01 am Post subject:

Namaste i like this.

Lets us compare Dharma and Religion on the basis of their practical styles.

Dharma: One
Religion: Many

Dharma: Since the very beginning of creation.
Religion: Since the very beginning of a person.

Dharma: No founder in the form of a human being.
Religion: Founded by a person.

Dharma: Principles are more important.
Religion: Persons are more important

Dharma: Principles are made by God, The Creator, who is perfect.
Religion: Laws are made by a person who is perfect

Dharma: Laws of Nature are laws of Dharma.
Religion: Laws made by a person are the laws of Religion.They may be contradictory to the laws of nature.

Dharma: Laws are elastic and suitable to all, always.
Religion: Laws are rigid and not necessarily and not always suitable.

Dharma: There is scope for improvement, according to place, person and time.
Religion: There is no scope for improvement, according to place, person and time.

Dharma: Based up on truth and facts.
Religion: Based upon beliefs and miracles.

Dharma: Principles and actions make a person important and noble.
Religion: A person makes laws and orders important.

Dharma: Universal.
Religion: Temporary (sectarian).

Dharma: Good to all and bad to none in all respects.
Religion: Good only to believers and bad to on believers.

Dharma: By birth, one can be Dharmic or by just being a good person at all.
Religion: To be a religious person, one must bring faith upon the founder person and undergo ritual process

Dharma: One can achieve God directly without bringing any faith upon a messenger or personal God/s.
Religion: One cannot achieve God directly without bringing faith upon a messenger, a Prophet or founder.

Dharma: Main aim is to make the thoughts and actions of a person nobler for all. This is known as an act of purification. Dharma is alike for all Humanity.
Religion: Main aim is to convert people from one religion to another.
_________________
Namaste,
Prabhat

Devo · Posted: Fri Sep 01, 2006 3:07 am Post subject:

Namaste Prabhat,

The author of this article made his comparisons between Dharma & Religion, very clear and to the point. However, some would argue that those statements are false, whereas they are nothing but the truth.

Namaste,
Dev.

Prabhat · Posted: Fri Sep 01, 2006 3:19 am Post subject: