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

See Examples For:

dharma

“Finding the dharma was like the longest sigh,” he says.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 26, 2026

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

It affects the text’s treatment of dharma, or the right way to act.

From Salon ● Nov. 11, 2023

Nonetheless, Hinduism influenced many monarchies, particularly through the concept of dharma.

From Textbooks ● Apr. 19, 2023

When these changes are perceivable, they are perceived as dharmapari@nâma or changes of dharma or quality; but perceived or unperceived the changes are continually going on.

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