dharma

Key concept in Indian philosophy and Eastern religions, with multiple meanings

Dharma 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. The Christian notion of Physis, meaning "created order" or "the arrangement of physical reality", from which the modern word physics is derived, also overlaps with some readings of "Dharma", albeit with a lesser emphasis on the divine. In addition, the New Testament usage of νόμος would often translate "Dharma" well, as it is used both with reference to divine law and to the correct way for humans to live in accordance to divine law.

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