Dharma vs. Dhamma — What's the Difference?

Dharma (; Sanskrit: धर्म, romanized: dharma, pronounced [dʱɐrmɐ] (listen) (Pali: dhamma) (Tamil: aṟam)) is a key concept with multiple meanings in Indian religions, such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism and others. There is no direct single-word translation for dharma in Western languages, however, the Christian and Platonist concept of "eusebeia" is close to the Hindu interpretation of dharma, and the Christian or Stoic "Logos" is close to the Buddhist interpretation.

(Buddhism) The teachings of Buddha.

(in Indian religion) the eternal and inherent nature of reality, regarded in Hinduism as a cosmic law underlying right behaviour and social order.

The principle or law that orders the universe.

Individual conduct in conformity with this principle.

The essential function or nature of a thing.

(Hinduism) Individual obligation with respect to caste, social custom, civil law, and sacred law.

The body of teachings expounded by the Buddha.

Knowledge of or duty to undertake conduct set forth by the Buddha as a way to enlightenment.

One of the basic, minute elements from which all things are made.

The natural order of the universe; natural law, cosmic order.

(Hinduism) One's obligation in respect to one's position in society, or the universe; one's duty, societally or cosmically.

(Buddhism) The teachings of the Buddha as one's personal path to enlightenment.

(Buddhism) The teachings of the Buddha as a practice to be promulgated and taught.

The basic principles of the cosmos; also: an ancient sage in Hindu mythology worshipped as a god by some lower castes;.

Basic principles of the cosmos; also: an ancient sage in Hindu mythology worshipped as a god by some lower castes;