Dharma and the Religions of the World

The different religions of the world, to the extent that they represent a higher path, represent different dharmas or approaches to Ultimate Truth. The different religions can be viewed as aspects of Sanatana Dharma or the Universal Truth. The great sages of all lands have been aware of a universal tradition of Truth, beyond name and form. Without such an awareness no real wisdom, which requires going beyond personal or social limitations, would be possible.

The religions that have their origins in India have always emphasized Dharma. Buddhism is called Buddha Dharma, the law or truth taught by the Buddha or the enlightened one, the Dharma of Enlightenment. Jainism is called the Jain Dharma, the truth or teaching of the Jina or the one who has conquered his own nature. Sanatana Dharma, or the Universal Dharma, is the basis of Hinduism and explains why it is the most comprehensive syncretic of all religious traditions. The great sages of India have never regarded themselves as limited to a belief that we would call Hindu, people following a particular ethnic religion limited to the Indian subcontinent.

They have looked upon themselves as followers of Sanatana Dharma, the universal tradition of Truth. The term Sanatana Dharma can be found in Buddhist and Jain teachings as well, as the movement toward universality is part of the spirituality of India and the Himalayan region as a whole.We could say, therefore, that there are two basic types of religious teachings in the world. The first are the belief-oriented systems that predominate in organized Western religions, which emphasize sin and salvation leading to either hell or heaven. Their idea of cosmic law is something imposed from above by the will of God, which may appear to be arbitrary or even vengeful.

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