Comparing Dharma In Hinduism And Buddhism

Hindu and Buddhist Dharma Dharma, a word used in two religions, having different meanings in both Hinduism and Buddhism. Although they may be similar, there are key differences in how the word is used in both the religions. The Hindu definition or the word is righteousness, law duty, moral teaching, and order in the universe. (Van Voorst 76). In Buddhism, it is thought to be the laws or teachings of the Buddha (Van Voorst 123). When the word is capitalized it is usually associated with Buddhism and when it is lowercase it is usually pertaining to Hinduism. The very first writings about dharma occurred in the Vedas. It was originally thought that only sages could experience it and they needed to pass it on to the laymen through mantras and other acts. In later years, the Dharma Sutras gave a different meaning to the term; they implied that dharma were duties that were performed in accordance with Vedic law. Dharma in Hinduism came to be understood as a person’s duty to society that was determined by both caste and gender; it refers to one’s social or religious obligations (Lecture September 5). Clearing up the meaning a bit in the Bhagavadgita, Krishna explains the definition of righteousness in satisfying the order of the world. She tells that there are three paths that lead to salvation, yoga, devotion,

It forms the basis for beliefs and philosophies for a way of life, which originated in India. In both religions, Dharma is a mission of life. In Hinduism it is one of the four goals of life, in Buddhism it is one of the Three Refuges. The result of dharma in both of these is ultimately Nirvana. In Hinduism Nirvana is to escape the cycle of reincarnation and in Buddhism it is to find the truth and the cause of suffering. Either way, the term and concept play such a massive role in both the religions that it is they would not exists without