Nowadays, Dharma talk is a topic that has gained relevance in various areas of daily life. With the advancement of technology and globalization, Dharma talk has become a central point of discussion and interest for many. Both academically and personally, Dharma talk has sparked curiosity and debate about its implications and consequences. Whether in the social, political, economic or scientific context, Dharma talk has generated endless reflections and research that seek to unravel its complexities and consequences for today's society. In this article, we will explore some of the most relevant dimensions of Dharma talk and its impact on our environment.
A Dharma talk (Sanskrit) or Dhamma talk (Pali) or Dharma sermon (Japanese: Hōgo (法語), Chinese: 法語) is a public discourse on Buddhism by a Buddhist teacher.
In Theravāda Buddhism, the study of Buddhist texts and listening to Dhamma talks by monks or teachers are common and important practices.
In some Zen traditions a Dharma talk may be referred to as a teisho (提唱). However, according to Taizan Maezumi and Bernard Glassman, a teisho is "a formal commentary by a Zen master on a koan or Zen text. In its strictest sense, teisho is non-dualistic and is thus distinguished from a Dharma talk, which is a lecture on a Buddhist topic." In this sense, a teisho is thus a formal Dharma talk. Vietnamese master Thích Nhất Hạnh says the following about Dharma talks:
A Dharma talk must always be appropriate in two ways: it must accord perfectly with the spirit of the Dharma and it must also respond perfectly to the situation in which it is given. If it only corresponds perfectly with the teachings but does not meet the needs of the listeners, it's not a good Dharma talk; it's not appropriate.