Dharma
धर्म
Law; right order; duty; what upholds
Definition
Pronunciation: DHAR-mah
Law; right order; duty; what upholds
About Dharma
Dharma is the principle of right order. It refers both to the deeper lawfulness of reality and to the particular way a being is meant to live in alignment with that reality. In human life, dharma points toward right action, right relationship, and the responsibilities that are actually yours to carry.
It is sometimes translated as duty, but dharma is broader than obligation. It includes integrity, appropriateness, coherence, and truth of function. Fire has a dharma to burn. Water has a dharma to flow. A person has dharma when life is being lived in a way that accords with nature, character, and circumstance.
Finding dharma is not the same as chasing preference or status. It often requires dropping imitation, fantasy, and avoidance so the real pattern of your life can be seen. Dharma stabilizes action because it gives effort a lawful center instead of a merely emotional one.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Dharma mean?
Law; right order; duty; what upholds
Which tradition does Dharma come from?
Dharma is a key term in shared.
How is Dharma used in practice?
Dharma is the principle of right order. It refers both to the deeper lawfulness of reality and to the particular way a being is meant to live in alignment with that reality. In human life, dharma points toward right action, right relationship, and the responsibilities that are actually yours to carry.