dharma

[dahr-muh, duhr-]

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.

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. 2018

Related Words for dharma

enlightenment, conduct, teachings

Examples from the Web for dharma

Contemporary Examples of 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
There are Dharma Punx chapters all over the US, as well as abroad.
The Buddhist Punk Reforming Drug Rehab
Stephen Krcmar
June 16, 2014
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
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
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

Historical Examples of dharma

Dharma should be learnt from the Shruti (Holy Writ), and from those conversant with it.
The Kama Sutra of Vatsyayana
Vatsyayana
Holy Writ, which ordains the practice of Dharma, does not admit of a doubt.
The Kama Sutra of Vatsyayana
Vatsyayana
As he has to bring up his children, he must know something of Dharma Sastra.
A Guide to Health
Mahatma Gandhi
He gave thee in marriage to me, and the others to Dharma and the rest of the gods.
The Kath Sarit Sgara
Somadeva Bhatta
He who spoke of Dharma (the customs of the law) not knowing Dharma!
King--of the Khyber Rifles
Talbot Mundy

British Dictionary definitions for dharma

dharma

noun

Hinduism social custom regarded as a religious and moral duty
Hinduism
1. the essential principle of the cosmos; natural law
2. 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

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.)).