🧘Intro to Indian Philosophy Unit 14 – Indian Ethics: Dharma, Karma, and Mokṣa

Key Concepts and Terminology

• Dharma encompasses ethical duty, moral law, and cosmic order
• Karma refers to the principle of cause and effect, where actions have consequences in this life and future lives
• Mokṣa is the ultimate goal of liberation from the cycle of rebirth (saṃsāra)
• Puruṣārtha consists of the four aims of human life: dharma (duty), artha (prosperity), kāma (pleasure), and mokṣa (liberation)
  • Dharma serves as the foundation for the other three puruṣārthas
• Varṇāśramadharma outlines the specific duties based on one's social class (varṇa) and stage of life (āśrama)
• Saṃsāra is the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth that is perpetuated by karma
• Ātman refers to the eternal, unchanging self or soul

Historical Context and Origins

• Indian ethics developed over centuries through various philosophical schools and religious traditions (Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism)
• The concept of dharma can be traced back to the Vedic period (c. 1500-500 BCE)
  • Ṛta, the cosmic order, is a precursor to the concept of dharma
• Karma and rebirth are central ideas in Indian thought, appearing in the Upaniṣads (c. 800-400 BCE)
• The Bhagavad Gītā (c. 200 BCE-200 CE) presents a synthesis of different philosophical ideas, emphasizing the importance of dharma and karma
• Buddhist and Jain traditions developed their own interpretations of dharma, karma, and mokṣa
• The Dharmaśāstras, such as the Manusmṛti (c. 200 BCE-200 CE), codified social and moral duties

Dharma: Ethical Duty and Cosmic Order

• Dharma is the foundation of Indian ethics, providing a framework for moral behavior
• It encompasses individual duties, social responsibilities, and the maintenance of cosmic order
• Dharma is context-dependent, varying based on factors such as social class (varṇa), stage of life (āśrama), and gender
• Fulfilling one's dharma is considered essential for maintaining harmony in society and the universe
• The concept of ṛta, the cosmic order, is closely related to dharma
  • Upholding dharma helps maintain ṛta, while neglecting dharma leads to disorder
• Dharma is one of the four puruṣārthas, or aims of human life, along with artha (prosperity), kāma (pleasure), and mokṣa (liberation)
• The Dharmaśāstras provide detailed guidelines for dharmic living, covering topics such as social duties, legal procedures, and ethical conduct

Karma: Action and Consequences

• Karma is the principle of cause and effect, where actions have consequences in this life and future lives
• Every action, whether good or bad, creates karma that determines an individual's future experiences and rebirths
• The law of karma is considered universal and inescapable, applying to all beings
• Good actions (puṇya) lead to positive consequences and a better rebirth, while bad actions (pāpa) result in negative consequences and a lower rebirth
• Karma is closely linked to the concept of saṃsāra, the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth
  • The accumulation of karma keeps an individual bound to saṃsāra
• The Bhagavad Gītā emphasizes the importance of performing one's duties (dharma) without attachment to the fruits of action, as a means to purify karma
• The ultimate goal is to exhaust all karma and achieve liberation (mokṣa) from the cycle of rebirth

Mokṣa: Liberation and Ultimate Goal

• Mokṣa is the ultimate goal of liberation from the cycle of rebirth (saṃsāra)
• It is the fourth and final puruṣārtha, or aim of human life, after dharma, artha, and kāma
• Mokṣa is achieved through the realization of the true nature of the self (ātman) and its identity with the ultimate reality (Brahman)
• Different philosophical schools propose various paths to attain mokṣa, such as:
  • Jñāna yoga: The path of knowledge and self-realization
  • Bhakti yoga: The path of devotion and love for the divine
  • Karma yoga: The path of selfless action and detachment from the fruits of action
• The Upaniṣads emphasize the importance of self-knowledge and the realization of the ātman-Brahman identity for attaining mokṣa
• The Bhagavad Gītā presents a synthesis of different paths to mokṣa, emphasizing the importance of devotion (bhakti) and selfless action (karma yoga)
• Mokṣa is considered the highest goal of human existence, as it brings an end to the cycle of suffering and rebirth

Interconnections Between Dharma, Karma, and Mokṣa

• Dharma, karma, and mokṣa are interconnected concepts in Indian philosophy
• Dharma provides the ethical framework for actions, which in turn generate karma
  • Following one's dharma leads to good karma, while neglecting dharma results in bad karma
• The accumulation of karma determines an individual's future experiences and rebirths in the cycle of saṃsāra
• Mokṣa is the ultimate goal of liberation from the cycle of rebirth, which is achieved by exhausting all karma
• Performing one's dharma selflessly, without attachment to the fruits of action, is considered a means to purify karma and progress towards mokṣa
  • The Bhagavad Gītā emphasizes this approach, known as karma yoga
• Self-knowledge and the realization of the ātman-Brahman identity, as emphasized in the Upaniṣads, is another path to mokṣa
• The interplay between dharma, karma, and mokṣa shapes an individual's ethical conduct and spiritual journey in Indian philosophy

Practical Applications in Daily Life

• The concepts of dharma, karma, and mokṣa provide a framework for ethical decision-making and moral conduct in daily life
• Individuals are encouraged to fulfill their dharmic duties based on their social roles and life stages (varṇāśramadharma)
  • For example, a student's dharma is to study and acquire knowledge, while a householder's dharma is to support their family and contribute to society
• The law of karma emphasizes the importance of personal responsibility and the consequences of one's actions
  • This encourages individuals to engage in good deeds and refrain from harmful actions
• The concept of karma also promotes acceptance and equanimity in the face of life's challenges, as they are seen as the result of past actions
• The ultimate goal of mokṣa provides a spiritual dimension to life, encouraging individuals to strive for self-realization and detachment from worldly pursuits
• The Bhagavad Gītā's teachings on karma yoga encourage individuals to perform their duties selflessly, without attachment to the outcomes, as a means of spiritual growth
• The practice of yoga and meditation, as outlined in various Indian philosophical texts, helps individuals cultivate self-awareness and progress towards mokṣa

Comparison with Other Philosophical Systems

• Indian ethics, based on the concepts of dharma, karma, and mokṣa, share some similarities with other philosophical systems while also having unique features
• Like Aristotelian virtue ethics, Indian ethics emphasizes the cultivation of moral character and the fulfillment of one's social roles and responsibilities
  • However, Indian ethics places a greater emphasis on the spiritual dimension and the ultimate goal of liberation (mokṣa)
• The law of karma bears some resemblance to the concept of moral causation in Western philosophy, where actions have consequences
  • However, karma operates across multiple lifetimes and is seen as a universal law governing the cycle of rebirth (saṃsāra)
• The concept of mokṣa as the ultimate goal of liberation from the cycle of rebirth is unique to Indian philosophy
  • Western philosophical systems generally do not posit a similar concept of cyclical existence and the need for liberation
• Indian ethics is closely intertwined with religious and spiritual traditions, such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism
  • In contrast, Western philosophical systems often treat ethics as a separate domain from religion
• The emphasis on self-realization and the unity of the individual self (ātman) with the ultimate reality (Brahman) is a distinctive feature of Indian philosophy
  • This metaphysical foundation shapes the ethical framework and the ultimate goal of mokṣa