Dharma (Sanskrit: धर्म) is a key concept in various Indian religions. The term does not have a single, clear translation and conveys a multifaceted idea. Etymologically, it derives from the Sanskrit root dhr-, meaning "to hold" or "to support", and thus refers to that which sustains—an individual's life, society, and the universe at large. Most commonly, dharma refers to an individual's moral responsibilities or duties, with the dharma of a farmer differing from that of a soldier, making the concept inherently dynamic. Its antonym is adharma.
In Hinduism, dharma denotes behaviour considered to be in accord with Ṛta—the order and custom that makes life and the universe possible. It encompasses duties, rights, laws, conduct, virtues, and ethics that together constitute a righteous way of living. Dharma is held to have transtemporal validity and is counted among the puruṣārthas, the pan-Indian aims of human life. The concept appears in the earliest Vedic texts, and its meaning and conceptual scope have evolved over several millennia.
In Buddhism, dharma (Pali: dhamma) refers to the teachings of the Buddha and to the true nature of reality which those teachings point to. In Buddhist philosophy, the term is also used for specific "phenomena" and for the ultimate truth. In Jainism, dharma refers to the teachings of the Tirthankaras (Jinas) and to the body of doctrine pertaining to purification and moral transformation. In Sikhism, dharma indicates the path of righteousness, proper religious practices, and the performance of moral duties.
Across these traditions, while specific doctrinal meanings differ, dharma broadly functions as a guiding principle linking individual conduct with a larger cosmic, ethical, or spiritual order.
Adapted from the English Wikipedia article on Dharma.