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

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

From Salon • Nov. 11, 2023

It is the dharma of fire to be hot, and of water to cool.

From New York Times • Feb. 16, 2023

For more than two decades, she along with other community members have taught zazen, yoga and the dharma to women at Hiland Mountain Correctional Center.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 7, 2022

The Lot-ordeal: This consists in drawing out of a vessel one of two lots, equivalent respectively to dharma and adharma, right and wrong.

From The Religions of India Handbooks on the History of Religions, Volume 1, Edited by Morris Jastrow by Hopkins, Edward Washburn