'Integral Ahimsa, and The Dharma of Disruption'

by Philip Murphy, Founder, Ahimsa Dharma Anti-Speciesist Action (ADASA)

The concept of dharma is held in common by Buddhism, Jainism, and Hinduism - and by extension, the practice of yoga. While the meaning of the term varies to some degree in each of these traditions it can be characterized generally as "norms of behaviour and ethical rules; one's righteous duty of any virtuous path." By extension, then, for a person to "live out their dharma," is for them to act in accordance with this path. Ahimsa Paramo Dharma, commonly translated as "Harmlessness is the Ultimate Path, or Duty," is a Sanskrit phrase popularized by Mahatma Gandhi and used as a slogan by social justice movements advocating for change by nonviolent means. However, the often-ignored fact is that these words are but half of the entire phrase, which reads: “Ahimsa Paramo Dharma/ Dharma himsa tathaiva cha.”

“A… work of love and beauty will not come to order, can not be compounded by the best rules, but is always a new and incalculable result, like health. Don’t rattle your rules in our ears; we must behave as we can.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson The quote from the great Transcendentalist is relevant, and necessary in this context as it reflects the fact that the circumstance of a profoundly speciesist culture -- which, inexplicably, extend to pan-dharmic traditions in spite of teachings that are explicitly to the contrary as is exemplified by the quote from one of Buddhism’s foundational texts, referenced above – dictates a translation of the Sanskrit phrase that reflects the imperative, with regard to anti-speciesist activism, to generate “a work of love” that is a “new and incalculable result.” To wit:

“Integrity is the ultimate dharma. So too is disruption, in the service of dharma.”

All beings fear danger, Life is dear to all. When a person considers this, He does not kill, or cause to kill. -Dhammapada, 129

Ahimsa Dharma Anti-Speciesist Activism (ADASA) was founded as a vehicle for the disruption of the speciesist exploitation that has been nor- malized in pan-dharmic communities. (Adāsa is Sanskrit for “free man (person),” and in Sanskrit daś has a meaning of “to arm, to put on armor,” thereby underscoring the activist imperative.) ADASA endeavors to support a consistent (integral) anti-oppression stance by serving as an information portal, aggregating and disseminating content regarding the imperative, in dharmic communities, to include all sentient beings in their moral circle. Moreover, ADASA seeks to serve as a convening body for individuals and groups who are endeavoring to advance this moral imperative within their respective communities and to catalyze initiates which, through skillful action, will bring about a consistent anti-oppression stance within these contemplative communities.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ADASA, PLEASE VISIT:

ADASA.YOGA

MAY ALL SENTIENT BEINGS BE WELL, HAPPY, SKILLFUL, AND PEACEFUL. MAHA-KARUNA. (THE GREAT COMPASSION)