Buddha and Sankara adhered to dharma
The Lord was referred to as dharma by the Vedas and as highest wisdom (vi-jnana) by Buddha. In those days,
no one liked the word “Veda”. In the times of the demon (asura) Somaka, those who followed the Vedas desisted
from calling them “Veda”. While in mortal dread, such behaviour is passable. Yet the Buddha was full of rever-
ence for the Vedas; he was ever infused with God. The Buddha is often spoken of as an atheist (nasthika)! Well,
if the Buddha is an atheist, who then is the theist (asthika)? The entire life of the Buddha is a saga of dharma.
Sankara is criticized by some people as being opposed to the path of dharma and karma (action). But San-
kara opposed only the dharma and karma that have ful lment of desire in view. He was indeed the great teacher
who taught the path of dharma and karma, of endeavour impelled by the understanding of the basic truth.
The adherence of Sankara to dharma and karma based on truth and the faith of the Buddha in the essentials
of the Vedas can be appreciated only by one who has the higher vision. Without that, one will be led astray in the
interpretation. In order to climb a great height, a ladder as tall as the height is needed, is it not?
On the path of dharma
Whoever subdues egotism, conquers selfish desires, destroys bestial feelings and impulses, and gives up the
natural tendency to regard the body as the self that person is surely on the path of dharma; that person knows that
the goal of dharma is the merging of the wave in the sea, the merging of the self in the Over-self.
In all worldly activities, be careful not to offend propriety or the canons of good nature; do not play false to
the promptings of the inner voice; be prepared at all times to respect the appropriate dictates of conscience; watch
your steps to see whether you are in someone else’s way; be ever vigilant to discover the truth behind all this
scintillating variety.
This is your entire duty, your dharma. The blazing re of wisdom (jnana), which convinces
you that all this is Brahman (sarvam khalvidam Brahmam), will consume into ashes all traces of your egotism and worldly attachment. You must become intoxicated with the nectar of union with Brahman; that is the ultimate goal
of dharma and of action (karma) inspired by dharma.
“Sacrifice ignorance (a-jnana) and ego (ahamkara) at the altar of wisdom (jnana) and install dharma there-
in”; this is the message of the Vedas. Every single unsel sh act that prepares the ground for the merging of the soul
with the Over-Soul, that broadens the vision toward the basic Brahman immanent everywhere, is a dharmic act.
Each such act is a tiny stream that swells the river of holiness rushing toward the sea of knowledge of Brahman.
Your acts and activities are all rituals in the worship of the highest Atma, which pervades the universe. Whatever
is done in an attitude of dedication and surrender is a component of the dharma that leads to realization. The
strategy of the Indian (Bharathiya) way of life is directed toward the sancti cation of every movement and every
thought, word, and deed into a step toward that realization.
Continued......
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