dharma

[ dahr-muh, duhr- ]

/ ˈdɑr mə, ˈdʌr- /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR dharma ON THESAURUS.COM

noun Hinduism, Buddhism.

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

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

virtue.

religion.

law, especially religious law.

the doctrine or teaching of the Buddha.

RELATED WORDS

enlightenment, conduct, teachings

Nearby words

Origin of dharma

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

Pali dham·ma

[duhm-uh] /ˈdʌm ə/.

Related formsdhar·mic, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for dharma

Levine wrote about his life in his 2004 memoir, Dharma Punx, the book that started a worldwide movement sharing the same name.
The Buddhist Punk Reforming Drug Rehab|Stephen Krcmar|June 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
There are Dharma Punx chapters all over the US, as well as abroad.
The Buddhist Punk Reforming Drug Rehab|Stephen Krcmar|June 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Among them are Art Kibbutz NYC and Dharma Drink, the Buddhist art Meetup group.
Pawel Althamer Creates Art That’s by the People, for the People at the New Museum|Jessica Dawson|February 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She insisted they go through the long campaign together to test the impact of her dharma on their relationship.
New Feminists: Young, Multicultural, Strategic, and Looking Out for Each Other|Gail Sheehy|February 26, 2013|DAILY BEAST

The named plaintiffs in the Texas class-action case are Sgt. Richard Corder, an Army infantry squad leader, and his wife, Dharma.
Two Companies Accused of Fleecing U.S. Troops|R.M. Schneiderman|March 6, 2012|DAILY BEAST
But for many centuries there is no evidence that they were in any way confounded with the Dharma.
Hinduism And Buddhism, Volume II. (of 3)|Charles Eliot
Thus here, as in the Dharma Sūtra of Āpastamba, only six forms of marriage are recognised, instead of the orthodox eight.
A History of Sanskrit Literature|Arthur A. MacDonell
Duty (dharma) is that good practice which is enjoined both by the Veda (ruti) and by the law (Sm.riti) founded on the Veda.
The Siksha-Patri of the Swami-Narayana Sect|Unknown
Holy Writ, which ordains the practice of Dharma, does not admit of a doubt.
The Kama Sutra of Vatsyayana|Vatsyayana
Nevertheless a certain prejudice has prevailed against the Atharva from the time of the Dharma Sūtras.
A History of Sanskrit Literature|Arthur A. MacDonell

British Dictionary definitions for dharma

dharma

/ (ˈdɑːmə) /

noun

Hinduism social custom regarded as a religious and moral duty

Hinduism

the essential principle of the cosmos; natural law
conduct that conforms with this

Buddhism ideal truth as set forth in the teaching of Buddha

Word Origin for dharma

Sanskrit: habit, usage, law, from dhārayati he holds

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for dharma

dharma

1796, in secular sense, "caste custom, right behavior;" in Buddhism and Hinduism, "moral law," from Sanskrit, "law, right, justice," related to dharayati "holds," and cognate with Latin firmus, all from PIE root *dher- (2) "to hold firmly, support" (see firm (adj.)).