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

• 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

Because: “Man isn’t the author of anything. All there is is dharma, destiny.”

From Seattle Times • Oct. 18, 2023

Someone could move up or down within this hierarchy depending on their dharma and their accrual of karma during their lifetime.

From Textbooks • Apr. 19, 2023

Lazy malas alasa Charity, benevolence dermâ dharma J. and S. derma; Bat. dorma, means of gaining affection.

From A Manual of the Malay language With an Introductory Sketch of the Sanskrit Element in Malay by Maxwell, William Edward, Sir