DHARMA WHISPERS AS THE WORLD REELS

Abstract

Rooted deeply in the spiritual and philosophical traditions of the Indian subcontinent, Dharma has often been translated as duty, righteousness, moral order or cosmic law. However, such translations only begin to hint at its depth. Dharma is not merely a concept, nor just a philosophical abstraction. It is a profound ‘way of being’, a harmonious dance between self and society, between the individual and the cosmos. It is an ever-evolving moral fabric that sustains life, relationships and the universe itself. At Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram, this living tradition of Dharma has found fertile ground. Dharma is the fulcrum around which all the missions and ministries of Dharmaram College rotate and are guided — thanks to the visionaries and luminaries who built this institution as an Indian platform to incarnate Christian principles and ethos within the rich soil of eastern spiritual thought, particularly through the glimpses of divine surplus (daivī sampatti) and spiritual integration. The Carmelite fathers - the torchbearers of this vision - breathed this wisdom into classrooms, corridors and publications, most notably through the Journal of Dharma which now marks fifty years of prophetic scholarship. In this moment of significant achievement, we pause to honour the pioneers of Dharmaram’s Dharma mission—those who demonstrated that ancient wisdom can be continually reimagined without losing its soul.