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Compiled by Richard Stoney for Hinduwebsite.com
Dharma
A Sanskrit-English Dictionary by Monier-Williams defines the word dharma as
"that which is established, law, decree; usage, prescribed conduct; duty; morality, religious merit; good works; justice (often used as a synonym for punishment)."
According to Hindu philosophy, dharma represents order with laws to govern creation. It is more than just a set of laws of physics; it is religious and moral laws that bind us in harmony with that order.
There are four different types of dharma:
1) Universal, cosmic law (rita) regulates the forces of Nature, manifested by laws of physics. It controls everything from subatomic properties to motions of galaxies. The Hindu beleves himself/herself to be part of Nature and seeks to bring the Self into harmony with the universal path.
2) Social dharma (varna dharma) consists of the duties, occupations and responsibilities that everyone fulfills in the family, nation, society and communities. An important aspect is religious and moral law.
3) Human law (aashrama dharma) is the natural expression and evolution pf the body, mind, soul and feelings throughout the stages of life: righteousness, wealth, pleasure and liberation.
4) Self-dharma (sva-dharma) is perhaps the dharma that most Westerners are aware of. It is the sum of all accumulated "karmas" in one's life, molded by one's tendencies, personality, desires, and experiences. It represents one's path one takes.
Hinduism strongly believes that it is best to follow one's own path rather than the path of others. Search for the natural self is of utmost importance.
Paraphrased from "Dancing with S'iva", pp. 167, 169, 171, 173, 175
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