Adharma

Definition

Adharma refers to the concept of unrighteousness or moral wrongness in Indian philosophy. It represents actions and behaviors that are contrary to dharma, the ethical and moral code that governs an individual's duty and conduct. Adharma disrupts the natural order and contributes to negative karmic consequences, which can affect the cycle of rebirth and the overall balance in the universe.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Adharma is fundamentally linked to the idea of balance in the universe; it represents actions that create chaos and imbalance.
2. In Jainism, adharma is also associated with the notion of spiritual pollution, which hinders the soul's progress toward liberation.
3. The consequences of adharma can manifest as suffering and misfortune in one's life, impacting not only individual karma but also societal harmony.
4. Adharma is often contrasted with dharma, highlighting the moral choices individuals face in their lives and the importance of righteousness.
5. In various texts, adharma can be personified as an antagonist to dharma, illustrating the constant struggle between right and wrong in human behavior.

Review Questions

• How does adharma interact with the concepts of karma and samsara in shaping an individual's life experiences?
  • Adharma negatively influences both karma and samsara by generating bad karma through unethical actions. This negative karma leads to unfavorable rebirths within samsara, creating a cycle of suffering that can be difficult to escape. By understanding how adharma operates within these frameworks, individuals can strive to align their actions with dharma to foster positive karma and ultimately aim for liberation from samsara.
• Discuss the implications of adharma on societal norms and ethics, considering its impact on collective karma.
  • Adharma has significant implications for societal norms as it undermines ethical standards and can lead to collective misfortune or chaos. When individuals engage in adharma, it not only affects their personal karma but also contributes to a broader decline in moral integrity within society. The result is a ripple effect that can destabilize communities, demonstrating how individual actions can shape collective fate and societal harmony.
• Evaluate the role of adharma in Jain metaphysics, particularly in relation to jiva and ajiva.
  • In Jain metaphysics, adharma is crucial as it interacts with jiva (the soul) and ajiva (non-soul) elements. Adharma is viewed as a type of ajiva that obstructs the pure nature of jiva, hindering its path toward liberation. This relationship emphasizes the importance of avoiding adharma to purify the soul, highlighting how moral choices directly impact spiritual growth. Understanding this connection illustrates how adherence to dharma aids in overcoming adharma and achieving liberation from the cycle of birth and rebirth.

Related terms

Dharma: Dharma is the moral law combined with spiritual discipline that guides one's life in accordance with the right path and duties.

Karma: Karma is the principle of cause and effect where a person's actions influence their future experiences, determining their fate in this life and beyond.

Samsara: Samsara refers to the continuous cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth, influenced by one's actions and karma, where adharma can lead to negative rebirths.