Dharma compared with Communism and Humanism
It will be interesting to compare the Indian
conception of Dharma with the modern conceptions of communism and human- ism.The avowed
object of communism and humanism is the same as that of Dharma, namely, the prosperity and
welfare of human society. But Dharma differs fundamentally in the method and spirit from
those of either communism or humanism. Communism is prepared to adopt violence and
revolutionary methods for securing its ideal.
But Dharma seeks to achieve the welfare and
happiness of the individual and of society in general, in the spirit and atmosphere of
ahimsa or non-violence and is opposed to violence and revolution. Vyasa declares in the
Mahabharata, Santi Parva, Adhyaya 109, sloka 15, that the principles of Dharma have been
enunciated for the sake of non-violence towards all beings and whatever is imbued with the
spirit of non-violence is Dharma.
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