Dharma And The Path Of Intention

Robert Fettgather holds a BA in psychology from San Jose State University as well as Masters and Doctoral degrees. He works as an associate faculty at Misson College in Santa Clara, educating students in different areas of psychology. As co-founder of Tashi Lhunpo Sangha, Robert Fettgather helped grow and guide a community of likeminded people practicing meditation and studying the dharma in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.

In Buddhism, dharma represents a universal truth that is common to all people. It comes from Buddha’s first sermon to disciples following his enlightenment, when he spoke of suffering and how this results from a failure to realize that no person stands alone, and that everything is interdependent. Grasping for that which one does not possess results in suffering and a perpetual sense of needless striving.

Moving forward from this condition is possible through the Noble Eightfold Path, which encompasses meditation and ethical life choices, and is informed by truths embodied as dharma. These include correct intentions, understanding, effort, and mindfulness. In essence, the dharma represents intentional thoughts and actions undertaken with a clearly focused heart and mind that lead away from suffering toward self-realization and compassion for all beings.