--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Dharma has several connotations in South…" description: "\"Dharma has several connotations in South Asian religions, but in Buddhism it has two basic, interrelated meanings: dharma as 'teaching' as found in the..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6bd/taitetsu-unno-53562_asian_dharma-has-several-connotations-in-south_3236150.jpg" --- # Dharma has several connotations in South Asian religions… ![“Dharma has several connotations in South Asian religions, but in Buddhism it has two basic, interrelated meanings: dharma as 'teaching' as found in the expression Buddha Dharma, and dharma as 'reality-as-is' (abhigama-dharma). The teaching is a verbal expression of reality-as-is that consists of…” quote by Taitetsu Unno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6bd/taitetsu-unno-53562_asian_dharma-has-several-connotations-in-south_3236150.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6bd/taitetsu-unno-53562_asian_dharma-has-several-connotations-in-south_3236150.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6bd/taitetsu-unno-53562_asian_dharma-has-several-connotations-in-south_3236150.jpg) > “Dharma has several connotations in South Asian religions, but in Buddhism it has two basic, interrelated meanings: dharma as 'teaching' as found in the expression Buddha Dharma, and dharma as 'reality-as-is' (abhigama-dharma). The teaching is a verbal expression of reality-as-is that consists of two aspects-the subject that realizes and the object that is realized. Together they constitute 'reality-as-is;' if either aspect is lacking, it is not reality-as-is. This sense of dharma or reality-as-is is also called suchness (tathata) or thatness (tattva) in Buddhism.” [Taitetsu Unno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taitetsu-unno/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. In Buddhism, dharma denotes both the teachings and the true nature of reality, which are interdependent. **In simple terms:** Dharma means teaching and reality-as-is together. Key Takeaway Recognize the link between doctrine and actual experience. Themes spirituality philosophy Buddhism Mood contemplative educational Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - meditation practice - scholarly study - daily mindfulness Key Concepts emptiness interdependence truth Questions to Reflect On - How does understanding dharma affect daily life? - Can you observe reality-as-is without conceptual bias? A Different Perspective Abstract concepts may be hard to apply practically. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Asian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asian/) [Buddhism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/buddhism/) [Dharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dharma/) [Enlightenment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enlightenment/) [Expression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expression/) [Reality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reality/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Teaching](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teaching/) ## Related quotes > [The dharma is here. And the dharma is in your heart. Where else would it be?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tenzin-palmo/the-dharma-is-here-and-the-dharma-is-in-your-heart-where-else-would/) [Tenzin Palmo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tenzin-palmo/) > [It is necessary first in the practice of Kundalini yoga to determine what the dharma is. 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