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Dharm

Dharm, often transliterated as dharma, is a key concept in Indian religious and philosophical traditions, especially Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. It derives from the Sanskrit root dhṛ, meaning “to uphold,” and is cognate with the Pali term dhamma. The word carries a range of related ideas, including cosmic order, law, virtue, duty, and righteous conduct.

In Hinduism, dharma has multiple layers. It can denote universal law or order (sanatana dharma), personal duty

In Buddhism, dharma (Pali dhamma) primarily refers to the Buddha’s teachings and the ultimate truth of phenomena

In Jainism, dharma denotes moral law and righteous conduct, with a strong emphasis on ahimsa (nonviolence), truth,

In modern usage, dharma can signify one’s duty or righteous path in daily life. Some traditions use

(svadharma)
appropriate
to
one’s
caste
(varna)
and
stage
of
life
(ashrama),
and
ethical
living
in
harmony
with
truth.
Dharma
guides
individual
conduct,
social
obligations,
and
religious
practices,
and
it
is
often
contrasted
with
adharma,
or
unrighteousness.
The
concept
is
central
to
texts
such
as
the
Mahabharata
and
the
Bhagavad
Gita,
where
svadharma
and
righteous
action
are
emphasized.
as
they
are
experienced.
It
encompasses
the
laws
of
causation
and
the
path
to
liberation,
and
it
is
one
of
the
Three
Jewels,
along
with
the
Buddha
and
the
Sangha.
Buddhist
dharma
informs
ethical
conduct,
meditation,
and
the
understanding
of
impermanence,
suffering,
and
non-self.
and
ascetic
discipline.
It
is
both
a
cosmic
principle
and
a
practical
code
for
monks
and
lay
followers.
the
term
Sanatana
Dharma
to
refer
to
the
eternal
or
universal
aspect
of
Hindu
spirituality.