Dharma vs. Dhamma — What's the Difference?

Cosmic law and moral duty in Hinduism.

Path to enlightenment in Buddhism.

Guiding principle for ethical living.

Ethical and moral principles.

Individual and societal obligations.

The Buddha's teachings on the nature of reality.

The righteous path of living.

Universal truth beyond individual belief.

A means to maintain universal order.

Means to overcome suffering.

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.

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

(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;.

Dhamma defines the path through the practice of the Eightfold Path, ethical conduct, and mental discipline to achieve liberation from suffering.

Dharma focuses on cosmic law, moral duty, and the right way of living to uphold cosmic and societal order.

Dharma may involve rituals and ceremonies, especially in Hinduism, whereas Dhamma focuses more on meditation, mindfulness, and ethical living without emphasizing rituals.

Yes, Dhamma is universal and offers a path to enlightenment for all beings, regardless of their social status.

Yes, interpretations of Dharma can vary significantly across different schools and traditions within Hinduism.

Yes, Dharma varies according to one's caste, stage of life, and personal circumstances, guiding individual and societal duties.

Dharma promotes societal structure through adherence to duties, while Dhamma emphasizes personal enlightenment but also encourages ethical behavior that contributes to a harmonious society.

Yes, individuals can integrate the moral and ethical teachings of both Dharma and Dhamma in their lives, although their core philosophies and goals may differ.

The goal of Dharma is to live a righteous life, fulfilling one’s duties to uphold cosmic and societal order. The goal of Dhamma is to attain enlightenment and liberation from suffering.

While interpretations and practices may vary across Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana Buddhism, the core teachings of Dhamma remain consistent.