dharma

[ dahr-muh, duhr- ]

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.

dharma

/ 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

Other Words From

• dharmic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dharma¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of dharma¹

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

Example Sentences

Eventually, in the early decades of the first millennium, they wrote legal texts, the Dharmashastras, which told people of different classes how they should act in accordance with their dharma.

From Time

Levine wrote about his life in his 2004 memoir, Dharma Punx, the book that started a worldwide movement sharing the same name.

From The Daily Beast

There are Dharma Punx chapters all over the US, as well as abroad.

From The Daily Beast

Among them are Art Kibbutz NYC and Dharma Drink, the Buddhist art Meetup group.

From The Daily Beast

She insisted they go through the long campaign together to test the impact of her dharma on their relationship.

From The Daily Beast

The named plaintiffs in the Texas class-action case are Sgt. Richard Corder, an Army infantry squad leader, and his wife, Dharma.

From The Daily Beast

This is what the Hindus call Dharma, and it is the teacher's duty to find out the boy's dharma and to help him to fulfil it.

From Project Gutenberg

This the natives maintain marks the height of the water as often as Dubrotis, (Dharma Rajah's consort), bathed herself in it.

From Project Gutenberg

And the illustrious Rishi Narada, accepting that worship, comforted the son of Dharma in proper terms.

From Project Gutenberg

Over the tea of Dharma the mandarins related Chinese tales for the entertainment of the illustrious American.

From Project Gutenberg

Dharma, god of wisdom and holiness, addressed Yudhishthira his son many questions, which he answered piously and well.

From Project Gutenberg