dharma

dharma
   Dharma is a complex and multifaceted term in Hindu tradition. It can be translated as “religious law,” “right conduct,” “duty,” and “social order.” Its root, dhri, means “to hold up.”
   The social concept of dharma emerges from the VEDIC notion of RITA or “cosmic order.” In this worldview, dharma (the social order) is main-tained by dharma (right conduct and the fulfill-ment of duty and religious law). Social activity was traditionally very much circumscribed by tradition; following dharma meant doing what was required.
   Starting as early as the fourth century B.C.E., a voluminous literature in Sanskrit was created called DHARMASHASTRA (authoritative texts on dharma). These included the Dharmasutras (aphoristic texts). Dharma later became personified as a god in mythology and literature. His son was YUDHISHTHIRA, one of the five PANDAVAS in the MAHABHARATA story.
   In the Jain tradition, dharma refers to the complex of duties required of a Jain. Jains recog-nize 10 forms of dharma that monks are to follow (see JAINISM). The word dharma can be used in association with any religion or faith, such as the Zoroastrian dharma.
   Further reading: Wendy Doniger and Brian K. Smith, trans., The Laws of Manu (New York: Penguin Books, 1991); P. V. Kane, History of the Dharma Shastra, 5 vols. (Poona: Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, 1968); Wendy Doniger O’Flaherty, J. Duncan, and M. Derrett, The Concept of Duty in South Asia (New Delhi: Vikas Publishing House, 1978).

Encyclopedia of Hinduism. . 2007.

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  • Dharma — es una palabra sánscrita que significa las cosas como son . El Dharma se dividió para su mejor comprenión en las llamadas Tres Cestas. ● Sutras (enseñanzas del Buda mismo); ● Vinayas (reglas monásticas proporcionadas por Buda); y ● Abhidharma… …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • Dharma — prop. n. (Hinduism) the basic principles of the cosmos; also: an ancient sage in Hindu mythology worshipped as a god by some lower castes;. [WordNet 1.5] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Dharma — (Relgesch.), so v.w. Darma …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • dharma — 1796, in secular sense, caste custom, right behavior; in Buddhism and Hinduism, moral law, from Skt., law, right, justice, related to dharayati holds, and cognate with L. firmus, all from PIE root *dher (2) to hold firmly, support (see FIRM (Cf.… …   Etymology dictionary

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  • dharma — ► NOUN ▪ (in Indian religion) the eternal law of the cosmos. ORIGIN Sanskrit, decree or custom …   English terms dictionary

  • dharma — [där′mə, dʉr′mə] n. [Sans, law, custom < IE base * dher , to hold, support > L firmus, OHG tarnen, to conceal] Hinduism Buddhism 1. cosmic order or law, including the natural and moral principles that apply to all beings and things 2.… …   English World dictionary

  • Dharma — Rad des Dharma (Museum Guimet, Paris) Dharma ist ein zentraler Begriff sowohl im Hinduismus als auch im Buddhismus, der religionsabhängig unterschiedliche Bedeutungen hat. Dharma (Sanskrit, m., धर्म, dharma; Pali: Dhamma) beinhaltet Gesetz, Recht …   Deutsch Wikipedia

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