Karma vs. Dharma — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 21, 2023
Karma refers to the law of cause and effect, where actions have consequences. Dharma represents one's duty or the ethical path in life. Karma is about the results of actions, while dharma is about the moral foundation guiding those actions.
Difference Between Karma and Dharma
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Key Differences
Karma is a concept in Hinduism, Buddhism, and other Eastern philosophies that embodies the law of cause and effect. It suggests that every action, good or bad, has a consequence. Karma is not limited to actions in the physical world; even thoughts and intentions are subject to karmic laws.
Dharma, on the other hand, is a multifaceted term also rooted in Eastern philosophies, especially Hinduism and Buddhism. It represents one's duty, righteousness, or the ethical path one should follow in life. Dharma is like the rule book, outlining what one should strive to do or avoid doing.
Karma and Dharma are intertwined but distinct. Karma is about the actions one performs and the subsequent outcomes, while Dharma is the guiding principle or moral compass directing those actions. Essentially, when one follows their dharma, it is likely that they accumulate good karma.
However, the relationship between karma and dharma is not always straightforward. A person can perform an action that is in line with their dharma, but it may result in negative karma if the intention behind the action is flawed. Therefore, both the moral guidelines (dharma) and the nature of actions and intentions (karma) must be considered.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Law of cause and effect
Ethical path or duty
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Origin
Hinduism, Buddhism
Hinduism, Buddhism
Scope
Actions, thoughts, intentions
Actions, duty, morality
Consequences
Rewards or punishments based on actions
No direct rewards, alignment with one's purpose
Role
Result
Guiding principle
Compare with Definitions
Karma
The result of one's actions, thoughts, or intentions.
Her negative thoughts contributed to her bad karma.
Dharma
The righteous path or principle in life.
Following her dharma gives her a sense of purpose.
Karma
A force that determines the quality of life and rebirth.
He believes in karma affecting his next life.
Dharma
Social and religious duties.
In Hinduism, dharma includes various social responsibilities.
Karma
The universal law of cause and effect.
Because he helped others, his good karma returned to him.
Dharma
The ethical duty or moral obligation.
His dharma is to take care of his family.
Karma
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
A universal law or reality.
Dharma represents the natural laws of the universe.
Karma
A cosmic principle related to justice.
Karma ensures that justice is eventually served.
Dharma
A guiding force for moral decisions.
When in doubt, he consults his dharma.
Karma
An energy carried by the soul.
She feels like her karma has been cleansed.
Dharma
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.
Karma
(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.
Dharma
(in Indian religion) the eternal and inherent nature of reality, regarded in Hinduism as a cosmic law underlying right behaviour and social order.
Karma
The totality of a person's actions and conduct during successive incarnations, regarded as causally influencing that person's destiny.
Dharma
The principle or law that orders the universe.
Karma
The law or principle through which such influence is believed to operate.
Dharma
Individual conduct in conformity with this principle.
Karma
Fate or destiny resulting from one's previous actions
“[The pitcher] had mostly avoided damage through the first four innings despite putting at least two runners on base three times, but he could not hold back the bad karma any longer” (Ben Shpigel).
Dharma
The essential function or nature of a thing.
Karma
(Informal) A distinctive aura, atmosphere, or feeling
There's bad karma around the house today.
Dharma
(Hinduism) Individual obligation with respect to caste, social custom, civil law, and sacred law.
Karma
The sum total of a person's actions, which determine the person's next incarnation in samsara, the cycle of death and rebirth.
Dharma
The body of teachings expounded by the Buddha.
Karma
A force or law of nature which causes one to reap what one sows; destiny; fate.
Dharma
Knowledge of or duty to undertake conduct set forth by the Buddha as a way to enlightenment.
Karma
(uncommon) A distinctive feeling, aura, or atmosphere.
Dharma
One of the basic, minute elements from which all things are made.
Karma
(internet) A score assigned to a user or post on some discussion forums, indicating popularity or perceived value.
Dharma
The natural order of the universe; natural law, cosmic order.
Karma
One's acts considered as fixing one's lot in the future existence.
Dharma
(Hinduism) One's obligation in respect to one's position in society, or the universe; one's duty, societally or cosmically.
Karma
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.
Dharma
(Buddhism) The teachings of the Buddha as one's personal path to enlightenment.
Karma
One's destiny; fate.
Dharma
(Buddhism) The teachings of the Buddha as a practice to be promulgated and taught.
Karma
The supposed non-physical emanations that a person gives off, which may affect other people; vibrations.
Dharma
The basic principles of the cosmos; also: an ancient sage in Hindu mythology worshipped as a god by some lower castes;.
Karma
(Hinduism and Buddhism) the effects of a person's actions that determine his destiny in his next incarnation
Dharma
Basic principles of the cosmos; also: an ancient sage in Hindu mythology worshipped as a god by some lower castes;
Common Curiosities
Are karma and dharma related?
Yes, they are related but distinct; dharma guides actions while karma is the result.
Can good dharma negate bad karma?
Not necessarily; both actions and intentions contribute to karma.
Is dharma the same for everyone?
No, dharma can differ based on individual life circumstances and roles.
Do all religions believe in karma?
No, the concept is primarily found in Eastern philosophies like Hinduism and Buddhism.
What is dharma?
Dharma refers to one's duty or ethical path in life.
Can dharma change?
Yes, dharma can evolve based on one's life circumstances.
What is karma?
Karma is the law of cause and effect where actions have consequences.
Can you escape karma?
Most traditions believe karma is inescapable.
Is karma always immediate?
No, the effects of karma can manifest at any time, even in future lifetimes.
Is following dharma a guarantee for good karma?
Not always, as the intention behind actions also counts.
Can animals have karma?
In some beliefs, yes, animals can also be subject to karma.
Can karma be transferred?
In general, karma is considered individual and not transferable.
Is karma only about punishment?
No, karma can result in either positive or negative outcomes.
Is dharma limited to religious duties?
No, dharma encompasses both social and personal responsibilities.
Can you have more than one dharma?
Yes, you can have multiple duties or roles in life.
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Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
