The Concept Of Dhamma And Different Levels Of Mind In Buddhism

Buddha taught Dhamma as a way of overcoming dissatisfaction or suffering. The Buddha and his Dhamma refers to Buddhist doctrine and is often perceived as one of the teachings of Buddha. The doctrine was originally preached by Lord Buddha to his group of followers. These teachings weren’t written down for many years, they appeared first in the form of pali canon also known as the Tipitaka. Other preachings were followed by Mahayana Sutras.

The Concept Of Dhamma

Dhamma reveals the truth as taught by Buddha. It gives a way to live a life that can lead them to achieve enlightenment. It motivated Budhha and his disciples to the Eightfold path and thereby practised meditation. Dhamma is one of the three refuges of Buddhism. The three refuges being the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha. Their refuges are the ways through which followers can be protected from suffering they encounter in the world.

Dhamma means to “uphold” and therefore it is the central theme of Buddhism while it holds up the religion. Buddhism is also believed to uphold the natural order of the world. Dhamma is the basis of the actions and teachings of Sangha.

What Is Dhamma?

With changing generation and modernisation in its growing phase, India has lost the true meaning of Dhamma. How could you even understand the concept of dhamma and dharma when they have been constantly changing. Various communities have changed perspective on dharma, hence there came about the concept of Buddhist Dharma, Jain Dharma, Hindu Dharma, etc.

During ancient times, Dharma meant the one which was imbibed. The one which arises on the surface of the mind is considered dharma. The mind tries to inculcate nothing but its own behaviour, nature and characteristics. This is its dharma. Dhamma in those days was known as the law of nature. Dhamma is defined as the characteristic of a particular element. Let us discuss Dhamma is the law of Nature and how it escalates with Buddhism.

Law Of Nature: Dhamma

Let’s know about Dhamma. It is said that death, illness and old age are some of the laws of nature. In addition to this, Dhamma is also one of the laws of nature. Whatever emotion that arises in your mind, keeps on changing from time to time. Be it a positive emotion or a negative one, it is called the nature of your mind – The law of Dharma.

Any negative emotion you feel creates tremendous rage and agitation within your heart. This is nature’s law and it is inevitable. However, you can stay aware of this state of mind and try to rightly consider how to channel your negative thoughts and release them. When you truly start to understand your inner self, you can learn to let go of the negative emotions easily. Maybe you can stop feeling all these at once. It is a long process and is subjected to many circumstantial situations, but when you start following Dhamma teachings and its constituent can definitely help you figure out how to use your mind in the best way.

Different Levels Of The Mind And Major Constituents Of Dhamma

The surface level of the mind is called paritta citta. This is the smallest part of the mind. It doesn’t matter whether this part of yours generates positive thoughts or negative ones, because the thoughts barely reach the inner metal level. Thus, the message received on the surface level is of very minimal relevance. However, when it comes to the inner part of the mings, the subconscious level is where the pattern of ignorance and thoughts prevail. Any unpleasant experience at this part of your mind can result in a negative action. And similarly if at all there is a pleasant experience it turns into a feeling of attachment and craving.

You may not believe in the cycle of birth, death and reincarnation, but you can rest assured you believe yourself about this world and this life’s existence. And don’t you observe how since early childhood how you’ve been active. And see how whenever something desirable or undesirable; happens your mind reacts to it in a similar way. You must come out of this cycle, this system feeling emotions at an utmost level.

The following are the major components of Dhamma that can help you achieve the same.

Morality

The first and foremost constituent of the dhamma is morality, also known as sila which means righteousness. The importance of morality and its practice in daily life has been considered as one of the most important features. Dhamma preachers and followers of Buddha did set out their own journeys to spread this teaching by asking people to follow morality. And how do you think anyone is going to oppose morality? Or self-righteousness? The followers have taught individuals how the thoughts of doing the right or wrong deed actually affect your mind. How your deed gets inculcated into your speech and body. And We don’t think a wise person can have any doubts regarding this concept. For living a virtuous and blessed life, one must create a lifestyle of good deeds. Avoiding misdeeds can actually create a great impact on your lifestyle.

It might be difficult to perceive such behaviour. However, we must understand that all the phenomena that occur around us, are related to how we perceive them. Mind is the one that matters the most. Any action that is performed with a negative mind or impurity is said to be a misdeed. It can harm others as well as our mental stability. Similarly, if you perform a good deed keep in mind purity in your heart, you can benefit others as well as get parted with your sufferings. Thus, when the followers of Budha started preaching righteousness, they started claiming control over their minds, actions and speech. They became virtuous with a shadow of happiness that could never depart.

Concentration

Samadhi is the ultimate concentration of mind. The power to attain ultimate control over your mind and body is a purifying act. It can create trailing results to purify your body and soul. When the mind is under control you can avoid making mistakes and thus, perform virtuous actions. And, to achieve this concentration, SILA is a necessary condition.

Dhamma and its followers did not seem to have any problems with the people who actually followed any deity and tried to pray their way toward attaining the samadhi, however, it was established later that the power to attain such peace lies in oneself. An individual who wants to attain such a space is his own master. For attaining control over your concentration of mind, Dhamma followers showed a way to help which included observing the normal breath coming in and out simultaneously. No word should be said while following this method. The concentration on one single thought can create the rhythm of mind and thoughts control. This might also be known as the technique of self-reliance, It is the traditional way of achieving concentration.

Wisdom

When you attain the Samadhi, you can see and understand how attaining such a state of mental peace is your own deed. Thus, you can acknowledge the fact that this is due to your own efforts. Thus, it is indirect knowledge gained by one’s direct experience. This is called wisdom, also known as Prajna.

There are three kinds of Wisdom. The first being herd wisdom which is the knowledge obtained from hearing someone or accepting what is said to you. The second is intellectual wisdom which is gained by reflecting what one gear. Here, the knowledge is accepted only after the person ideally sees a logical explanation of the words. The Third being experiential wisdom, where knowledge is gained through one’s own experience. This is the right way of gaining knowledge. Accepting something just because it is said to you, or you heard it from somewhere sounds hardly reliable. Thus, the right wisdom is the one that rises with your direct experience.

From the true form of Dhamma teachings, you can learn from various situations that arise around you. A truly selfish man will understand the best welfare works according to the way it pleases him. If the virtue of love, kindness and compassion are growing in an individual then it is okay to fulfil the interest of being a true follower of Dhamma, It is not really against Dhamma, Thus, the true way to purify oneself is through understanding your mind, And if you defile your mind, nature can punish you or reward you. Nature responds to your thoughts and deeds accordingly.

No one wants to live a life of suffering endurance. Thus, even when the mind wanders idly and there are some misdeeds that occur without your mind reliving it is your own matter at hand to consider. How do you actually make that fire burning within useful and make following the right things easy for you?

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