dharmas
Laws of existence
Dharmas is the plural of dharma, a concept from Indian religions encompassing cosmic law, moral duty, and righteous conduct.
In Buddhism, dharmas (lowercase) also refers to the fundamental elements of existence—the basic phenomena that constitute reality and experience.
Context determines whether the word means moral principles or metaphysical building blocks: The Buddha taught that all dharmas are impermanent.
Ancient Indian spiritual tradition
- BuddhismEnlightenment-seeking Eastern religion
- JainismIndian religion emphasizing nonviolence
- VedasHindu canonical texts
- UpanishadsVedic philosophical scriptures
Bhagavad Gita · puja · mantra · guru · yoga · meditation · temple · monastery
Spiritual cause and effect
- samsaraCycle of rebirth
- mokshaRelease from rebirth cycle
- nirvanaRelease from cyclical existence
- atmanEternal inner self
reincarnation · enlightenment · cosmic order · universal law · natural order · eternal truth · transcendence · liberation
Moral correctness or virtue
- virtueMoral goodness or merit
- moralityRight and wrong principles
- right actionMorally sound deed
- ethical conductMorally principled behavior
ahimsa · satya · truthfulness · nonviolence · compassion · justice · integrity · moral law
Principles of the Bodhi path
Collects into totals
- cognitionMental knowledge acquisition
- perceptionMental interpretation of stimuli
- sensationPerceived stimulus or phenomenon
- volitionCapacity for choice
Required task or commitment
- sacred dutyMorally binding commitment
- moral obligationEthics-based required action
- family dutyResponsibility to one's relatives
- life stagePeriod of development
Hinduism
Ancient Indian spiritual tradition
- BuddhismEnlightenment-seeking Eastern religion
- JainismIndian religion emphasizing nonviolence
- VedasHindu canonical texts
Upanishads · Bhagavad Gita · puja · mantra · guru · yoga · meditation · temple · monastery · scripture
karma
Spiritual cause and effect
atman · reincarnation · enlightenment · cosmic order · universal law · natural order · eternal truth · transcendence · liberation · causation
righteousness
Moral correctness or virtue
- virtueMoral goodness or merit
- moralityRight and wrong principles
- right actionMorally sound deed
ethical conduct · ahimsa · satya · truthfulness · nonviolence · compassion · justice · integrity · moral law · ethical living
Buddhist doctrine
Principles of the Bodhi path
aggregates
Collects into totals
- cognitionMental knowledge acquisition
- perceptionMental interpretation of stimuli
- sensationPerceived stimulus or phenomenon
volition · impermanence · arising · cessation
obligation
Required task or commitment
- sacred dutyMorally binding commitment
- moral obligationEthics-based required action
- family dutyResponsibility to one's relatives
life stage · right conduct · station · calling · responsibility
dharmaschaos
Complete disorder and confusion
disorder · papa · unrighteousness · lawlessness · entropy
dharmassin
Violation of divine law
immorality · unrighteousness · papa · vice · wickedness
- Dharma transmissionZen teacher authorization ceremony
- dharma wheelSymbol of Buddhist teachings