Cosmic law: 4 definitions

Introduction
In Hinduism
1. General definition
In Buddhism
1. General definition
In Jainism
1. Jain philosophy
India history
See also

Introduction:

Cosmic law means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, the history of ancient India. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

In Hinduism

General definition (in Hinduism)

Source: Swami Krishnananda: The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad

The Cosmic law takes the subtle body to the exact spot where it can fulfil all its wishes.—Even as the laws of the government which has long arms try to catch us wherever we are, the laws of the cosmos catch that individual who has been responsible for the particular action. [tad eva saktah saha karmanaiti]:—“Attached, the soul leaves this body; and together with the Karma, it goes”. Where does it go? “Where the mind has found its habitation, there it goes”. Where is the habitation or the location of the mind? “Those features of the world, those conditions or that type of atmosphere where its unfulfilled desires can be fulfilled, there the linga-sharira, or the suksma-sarira or the subtle body, gravitates”. Like a rocket the subtle body moves and finds its place. The cosmic law operates in such a just and inexorable manner that the subtle body is taken to the exact spot where it can fulfil all its wishes.

In Buddhism

General definition (in Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Buddhism

Cosmic law (dhamma) exists everywhere according to Buddhist teachings.—The Buddha dhamma is a complete discovery of a dynamic cosmic order. So to say, complete scientifically because it accounts not only for human life, but also for the life of all sentient beings from the lowest to the highest; and also complete morally because it includes all these forms of life in the one moral order. Buddhism, in fact, teaches a cosmic law that exists everywhere; hence the same moral law of spiritual evolution must prevail everywhere. Cosmic law and moral order in Buddhism are related to one another as they are not in any other religious systems.

In Jainism

Jain philosophy

Source: HereNow4U: Samayasara - by Acharya Kundakunda

The fundamental Cosmic law is that every substance is entirely self-determining in its modification. This, therefore, is the ultimate truth which can never be negated. At the same time, in worldly life, it is the empirical truth which is more purposeful and important. We have already dealt with respective positions according to both aspects in the preceding verses. Acceptance of the empirical truth in worldly life merely means that it is not a mere appearance or illusion because its reality is corroborated by concrete experience. In the [Samayasāra verses 3.17-18], Ācārya Kundakunda emphasizes that to say this much is acceptable and true but to go beyond and to reject everything that is not included in concrete experience in toto (because it is not presented) is the apotheosis of vyavahāra. It is not fallacious to believe the empirical truth as a relative truth. What is perversion or fallacious is to believe it as the absolute truth, because it transgresses the cosmic law.

context information

India history and geography

Source: Suomen Antropologi: Sacred Trees among the Tamil people of South India

Cosmic law (in Sanskrit: Dharma) refers to the “duty of human beings to their family, to society, humanity, nature and towards God”.—For the Hindus all life is sacred. The divine soul is believed to permeate all that exists in nature: stones, plants, animals and humans. [...] Before the Vedic period, forests were experienced as the home of wild forces of animal and vegetative life, beyond the control of village life guided by the priests. A division was perceived between orderly village life controlled by the Brahmins (priests) who guided the people in the practice of dharma (the cosmic law that refers to the duty of human beings to their family, to society, humanity, nature and towards God), and the adharmic world of the forests (that which is not in accord with the law of dharma) over which the priests had no control. The Brahmins were seen as the transformers of the forces between men and gods, heaven and earth that have been awakened by the power of ritual sacrifices.

context information

The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.

Relevant text

Search found 14 books and stories containing Cosmic law; (plurals include: Cosmic laws). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Part 12 - Forthright Varuna < [Chapter 4 - Analysis]

Part 10 - Vedic deity Varuna and Lord Jhulelal < [Chapter 4 - Analysis]

Part 18 - Lord Jhulelal's Association with Vedic Deity Varuna < [Chapter 4 - Analysis]

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Chapter 6 - Atta Versus Anatta < [Part III - The Doctrine Of Anatta]

Chapter 13 - Origin Of Life < [Part III - The Doctrine Of Anatta]

Chapter 8 - Outstanding Facts In Buddhism < [Part I - The Buddha Desana]

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The Twain thus meet < [January – March, 1989]

Law is Not Will of God < [October 1964]

Gauri–A Southern Bronze < [September 1944]

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