Lots of people have told me they are kind of confused by the usage of these two terms, especially in North America, where Dharma, now an English word, is more frequently heard. The confusion is owing to the fact that everybody uses the word Dharma for his/her own religion. Historically and etymologically, Dharma, a Sanskrit word corresponding to Hinduism/Veda, came to be used in Buddhism as Dhamma in Pali, the kind of Prakrit language the Buddha used in his teachings. Especially in North America, Dharma and Dhamma are used interchangeably as Indic synonyms for the Buddha's Teaching.
In Hinduism, Dharma necessarily has a theistic notion as opposed to its counterpart, Buddhism that uses the Pali cognate, Dhamma, with a non-theistic notion. There was a suggestion at Middle Way Buddhist Association, Tampa, today that I blog this.
Whichever the term you use, when used in a Buddhist sense, regard both Dharma and Dhamma in terms of non-theism, so that a possible confusion could be prevented.
Dharma is Sanskrit, and Dhamma is Pali.
And the Buddha's teaching is ineffable.
By Upananda Thero Dedunupitiye
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2 comments:
By conventions, Buddhism has always been regarded as one of the world religions. Hence, to regard Dharma, the Buddha's teachings, with a non-theistic notion can be difficult for the uninitiated.
That's why in some Chinese Buddhist writings that I have read, Buddhism has been advanced as an Education and a way of life.
Thanks.
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