dharma

American  

[dahr-muh, duhr-] / ˈdɑr mə, ˈdʌr- /

noun

Hinduism, Buddhism.

1. essential quality or character, as of the cosmos or one's own nature.

2. conformity to religious law, custom, duty, or one's own quality or character.

3. virtue.

4. religion.

5. law, especially religious law.

6. the doctrine or teaching of the Buddha.

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dharma British  

/ ˈdɑːmə /

noun

1. Hinduism social custom regarded as a religious and moral duty

2. Hinduism

   1. the essential principle of the cosmos; natural law

   2. conduct that conforms with this

3. Buddhism ideal truth as set forth in the teaching of Buddha

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• dharmic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of dharma

1790–1800; < Sanskrit: custom, duty, akin to dhārayati holds, maintains

Example Sentences

He says he "had very mixed feelings…given what had happened" but was driven by Hindu belief in dharma which he says involves "doing your duty".

From BBC • Mar. 5, 2025

This means focussing on dharma, or the right way to act so that our larger, global communities can work.

From Salon • Nov. 11, 2023

Adherence to dharma helped ensure the universe remained in balance, while failure to do so risked chaos and destruction.

From Textbooks • Apr. 19, 2023

It is the dharma of fire to be hot, and of water to cool.

From New York Times • Feb. 16, 2023

The second asa@msk@rta dharma, apratisa@mkhyâ nirodha, means the non-perception of dharmas caused by the absence of pratyayas or conditions.

From A History of Indian Philosophy, Volume 1 by Dasgupta, Surendranath