Dharma

/ˈdɑːrmə/
noun

A key concept with multiple meanings in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, signifying behaviors that are considered to be in accord with natural law.

In Hinduism, following one's dharma allows an individual to live life rightfully.
Visual representation of "dharma" - A key concept with multiple meanings in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, signifying behaviors that are considered to be in accord with natural law.

Often appears as...

  • follow one's dharma
  • understand dharma

Usage tips

Academic

noun

In Buddhism, the teachings of Buddha as one understands them.

His life was changed after he encountered the dharma.
Visual representation of "dharma" - In Buddhism, the teachings of Buddha as one understands them.

Often appears as...

  • encounter the dharma
  • study the dharma

Usage tips

Academic

noun

A principle or law of reality in Jainism, similar to the path of rightness in Buddhism.

Jains believe in non-violence and karma, which are part of their dharma.
Visual representation of "dharma" - A principle or law of reality in Jainism, similar to the path of rightness in Buddhism.

Often appears as...

  • follow jain dharma
  • teachings of dharma

Usage tips

Academic

noun

In Sikhism, a term used to denote virtue, right conduct, duty or moral orders.

The dharma utterances in Sikh scriptures guide the followers on the right path.
Visual representation of "dharma" - In Sikhism, a term used to denote virtue, right conduct, duty or moral orders.

Often appears as...

  • follow sikh dharma
  • teachings of dharma

Usage tips

Academic

noun

A key concept with multiple meanings in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, signifying behaviors that are considered to be in accord with natural law.

In Hinduism, following one's dharma allows an individual to live life rightfully.
Visual representation of "dharma" - A key concept with multiple meanings in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, signifying behaviors that are considered to be in accord with natural law.

Often appears as...

  • follow one's dharma
  • understand dharma

Usage tips

Academic

noun

In Buddhism, the teachings of Buddha as one understands them.

His life was changed after he encountered the dharma.
Visual representation of "dharma" - In Buddhism, the teachings of Buddha as one understands them.

Often appears as...

  • encounter the dharma
  • study the dharma

Usage tips

Academic

noun

A principle or law of reality in Jainism, similar to the path of rightness in Buddhism.

Jains believe in non-violence and karma, which are part of their dharma.
Visual representation of "dharma" - A principle or law of reality in Jainism, similar to the path of rightness in Buddhism.

Often appears as...

  • follow jain dharma
  • teachings of dharma

Usage tips

Academic

noun

In Sikhism, a term used to denote virtue, right conduct, duty or moral orders.

The dharma utterances in Sikh scriptures guide the followers on the right path.
Visual representation of "dharma" - In Sikhism, a term used to denote virtue, right conduct, duty or moral orders.

Often appears as...

  • follow sikh dharma
  • teachings of dharma

Usage tips

Academic

Definition 1 of 4
Visual representation of "dharma"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Cultural Context

Dharma often reflects personal duties related to one's social role and stage in life.

Illustration for Cultural Context
Her dharma as a mother was her guiding principle.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Broad Usage

Dharma encompasses ethics, religion, and legal duties unique to Indian philosophies.

Illustration for Broad Usage
As a king, his dharma involved both ruling justly and upholding spiritual laws.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Misconception Avoidance

Don't confuse 'dharma' with simply being good; it's about fulfilling specific roles.

Illustration for Misconception Avoidance
He was torn between the dharma of a warrior and his personal morals.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Cultural Context

Dharma often reflects personal duties related to one's social role and stage in life.

Illustration for Cultural Context
Her dharma as a mother was her guiding principle.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Broad Usage

Dharma encompasses ethics, religion, and legal duties unique to Indian philosophies.

Illustration for Broad Usage
As a king, his dharma involved both ruling justly and upholding spiritual laws.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Misconception Avoidance

Don't confuse 'dharma' with simply being good; it's about fulfilling specific roles.

Illustration for Misconception Avoidance
He was torn between the dharma of a warrior and his personal morals.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Cultural Context

Dharma often reflects personal duties related to one's social role and stage in life.

Illustration for Cultural Context
Her dharma as a mother was her guiding principle.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Broad Usage

Dharma encompasses ethics, religion, and legal duties unique to Indian philosophies.

Illustration for Broad Usage
As a king, his dharma involved both ruling justly and upholding spiritual laws.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Misconception Avoidance

Don't confuse 'dharma' with simply being good; it's about fulfilling specific roles.

Illustration for Misconception Avoidance
He was torn between the dharma of a warrior and his personal morals.
Visual representation of the word "Dharma"

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Video examples

The five major world...

He taught that all life follows karma, the law of cause and effect, and our job is to do our duty, or dharma, according to our place in society without worrying how things turn out. When we die, we are reincarnated into a new body.

Video examples

The five major world...

He taught that all life follows karma, the law of cause and effect, and our job is to do our duty, or dharma, according to our place in society without worrying how things turn out. When we die, we are reincarnated into a new body.

Example 1 of 1

Quote examples

Wayne Dyer

American Psychologist

Most of us are raised to believe we are ordinary. The anchor of the universe is present in every child. A parent only needs to guide and step aside and let them fulfill their dharma. Help children remember that they can do or be anything.
Portrait of Wayne Dyer

Quote examples

Dayananda Saraswati

Indian Leader

Because a human being is endowed with empathy, he violates the natural order if he does not reach out to those who need care. Responding to this empathy, one is in harmony with the order of things, with dharma; otherwise, one is not.
Portrait of Dayananda Saraswati

Quote examples

Lobsang Tenzin

Tibetan Leader

Non-violence is the essence of the entire Buddha's teaching, and the practice of non-violence is the entire essence of the practice of Buddha dharma, Buddhist spirituality, in one's life.
Portrait of Lobsang Tenzin

Quote examples

Vijay Antony

Indian Musician

Just as Yama is a villain for evil forces, my character in 'Yaman' is also a villain against those who don't follow dharma.
Portrait of Vijay Antony

Quote examples

Richard Gere

American Actor

My first encounter with Buddhist dharma would be in my early 20s. Like most young men, I was not particularly happy.
Portrait of Richard Gere

Quote examples

Joseph Jarman

American Musician

So all of the music had reference, or is inspired by something of the dharma that I've come in contact with.
Portrait of Joseph Jarman

Quote examples

Mohit Raina

Indian Actor

Dharma Productions' films are mounted on a grand scale; a TV show cannot match it.
Portrait of Mohit Raina

Quote examples

Subhash Chandra

Indian Businessman

As a businessman, my dharma is to cater to every taste of my viewer.
Portrait of Subhash Chandra

Quote examples

Brie Larson

American Actress

I know what my dharma is: I'm supposed to be an actor.
Portrait of Brie Larson

Quote examples

Mahavira

The nature of things is dharma.
Portrait of Mahavira

Quote examples

Wayne Dyer

American Psychologist

Most of us are raised to believe we are ordinary. The anchor of the universe is present in every child. A parent only needs to guide and step aside and let them fulfill their dharma. Help children remember that they can do or be anything.
Portrait of Wayne Dyer

Quote examples

Dayananda Saraswati

Indian Leader

Because a human being is endowed with empathy, he violates the natural order if he does not reach out to those who need care. Responding to this empathy, one is in harmony with the order of things, with dharma; otherwise, one is not.
Portrait of Dayananda Saraswati

Quote examples

Lobsang Tenzin

Tibetan Leader

Non-violence is the essence of the entire Buddha's teaching, and the practice of non-violence is the entire essence of the practice of Buddha dharma, Buddhist spirituality, in one's life.
Portrait of Lobsang Tenzin

Quote examples

Vijay Antony

Indian Musician

Just as Yama is a villain for evil forces, my character in 'Yaman' is also a villain against those who don't follow dharma.
Portrait of Vijay Antony

Quote examples

Richard Gere

American Actor

My first encounter with Buddhist dharma would be in my early 20s. Like most young men, I was not particularly happy.
Portrait of Richard Gere

Quote examples

Joseph Jarman

American Musician

So all of the music had reference, or is inspired by something of the dharma that I've come in contact with.
Portrait of Joseph Jarman

Quote examples

Mohit Raina

Indian Actor

Dharma Productions' films are mounted on a grand scale; a TV show cannot match it.
Portrait of Mohit Raina

Quote examples

Subhash Chandra

Indian Businessman

As a businessman, my dharma is to cater to every taste of my viewer.
Portrait of Subhash Chandra

Quote examples

Brie Larson

American Actress

I know what my dharma is: I'm supposed to be an actor.
Portrait of Brie Larson

Quote examples

Mahavira

The nature of things is dharma.
Portrait of Mahavira
Example 1 of 10
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