Karma vs. Dharma — What's the Difference?

The result of one's actions, thoughts, or intentions.

The righteous path or principle in life.

A force that determines the quality of life and rebirth.

Social and religious duties.

The universal law of cause and effect.

The ethical duty or moral obligation.

A cosmic principle related to justice.

A universal law or reality.

An energy carried by the soul.

A guiding force for moral decisions.

Karma (; Sanskrit: कर्म, IPA: [ˈkɐɽmɐ] (listen); Pali: kamma) means action, work, or deed. The term also refers to the spiritual principle of cause and effect, often descriptively called the principle of karma, wherein intent and actions of an individual (cause) influence the future of that individual (effect): good intent and good deeds contribute to good karma and happier rebirths, while bad intent and bad deeds contribute to bad karma and bad rebirths.The philosophy of karma is closely associated with the idea of rebirth in many schools of Indian religions (particularly Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism), as well as Taoism.

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.

(in Hinduism and Buddhism) the sum of a person's actions in this and previous states of existence, viewed as deciding their fate in future existences.

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

The totality of a person's actions and conduct during successive incarnations, regarded as causally influencing that person's destiny.

The principle or law that orders the universe.

The law or principle through which such influence is believed to operate.

Individual conduct in conformity with this principle.

Fate or destiny resulting from one's previous actions

The essential function or nature of a thing.

(Informal) A distinctive aura, atmosphere, or feeling

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

The sum total of a person's actions, which determine the person's next incarnation in samsara, the cycle of death and rebirth.

The body of teachings expounded by the Buddha.

A force or law of nature which causes one to reap what one sows; destiny; fate.

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

(uncommon) A distinctive feeling, aura, or atmosphere.

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

(internet) A score assigned to a user or post on some discussion forums, indicating popularity or perceived value.

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

One's acts considered as fixing one's lot in the future existence.

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

The doctrine of fate as the inflexible result of cause and effect, especially the principle by which a person is rewarded or punished in a subsequent incarnation for deeds in the previous incarnation; the theory of inevitable consequence.

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

One's destiny; fate.

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

The supposed non-physical emanations that a person gives off, which may affect other people; vibrations.

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

(Hinduism and Buddhism) the effects of a person's actions that determine his destiny in his next incarnation

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

Yes, they are related but distinct; dharma guides actions while karma is the result.

Not necessarily; both actions and intentions contribute to karma.

No, dharma can differ based on individual life circumstances and roles.

No, the concept is primarily found in Eastern philosophies like Hinduism and Buddhism.

Dharma refers to one's duty or ethical path in life.

Yes, dharma can evolve based on one's life circumstances.

Karma is the law of cause and effect where actions have consequences.

Most traditions believe karma is inescapable.

No, the effects of karma can manifest at any time, even in future lifetimes.

Not always, as the intention behind actions also counts.

In some beliefs, yes, animals can also be subject to karma.

In general, karma is considered individual and not transferable.

No, karma can result in either positive or negative outcomes.

No, dharma encompasses both social and personal responsibilities.

Yes, you can have multiple duties or roles in life.