dharma etymology

Etymology:

"Dharma" is a Sanskrit word that comes from the root "dhri," meaning "to support," "to hold," or "to maintain." It is related to the words "dhrti" (steadfastness or endurance), "dhruva" (immovable or fixed), and "dhara" (to bear or carry).

Meaning:

In Buddhism, dharma refers to the teachings of the Buddha and the path to liberation from suffering. It encompasses:

  • The nature of reality as impermanent, selfless, and interdependent
  • The causes and conditions of suffering
  • The path to liberation through ethical conduct, meditation, and wisdom

More broadly, dharma can be understood as:

  • Natural law, order, or righteousness
  • Duty, obligation, or responsibility
  • The essence or true nature of something

Origin:

The concept of dharma originated in ancient India. It appears in the Vedas, the earliest Hindu scriptures, where it refers to the cosmic order or the duties and responsibilities of different castes and individuals.

In Buddhism, the term dharma was used by Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of the religion. He taught that dharma is the path to enlightenment and liberation from the cycle of rebirth.

Over time, dharma has taken on different meanings and interpretations in various Indian philosophical and religious traditions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism.

dharma relate terms

  • affirm

    Etymology Origin Late Middle English as the verb affirm from ecclesiastical Latin a

  • confirm

    Etymology From Late Latin confirmare from the Latin con with together and firmo

  • Darius

    Origin and Meaning Origin Persian Meaning He who sustains good or Possessor of goo

  • dharma

    Etymology Dharma is a Sanskrit word that comes from the root dhri meaning to suppo

  • farm

    Etymology The word farm originates from the Old English word feorm which referred t

  • fermata

    Etymology Italian fermata halt Latin firmāta past participle of firmāre to faste

  • firm

    Etymology The word firm derives from the Latin word firmus meaning strong stead

  • firm

    Etymology The word firm derives from the Latin word firmus meaning strong stead

  • firmament

    Etymology Latin firmamentum from late Latin firmare to strengthen Proto Indo Europe

  • furl

    Etymology The word furl comes from the Middle Dutch word vorlen meaning to fold up

  • infirm

    Etymology The word infirm comes from the Old French word enferme meaning weak or

  • infirmary

    Etymology The word infirmary originates from the Medieval Latin word infirmarius wh

  • throne

    Etymology Origin Middle English throne from Old French trone from Latin thronus from

  • throne

    Etymology Origin Middle English throne from Old French trone from Latin thronus from

  • deputy

    Etymology Old French depute Latin deputāre to appoint assign de away put

  • bolt

    Etymology The word bolt comes from the Old English word bolt which means a short t

  • hamper

    Etymology Middle English hamper from Old French hanaper from Medieval Latin hanaperu

  • deliver

    Etymology Latin deferre to bear away bring down Proto Indo European dʰer to

  • season

    Etymology The word season derives from the Middle English word sesun which itself co

  • consequence

    Etymology and Meaning of Consequence Origin Middle French consequence Late Latin

  • scepter

    Etymology The word scepter derives from the Old French word sceptre which in turn c

  • vernacular

    Vernacular Etymology Meaning A folk or common sense etymology that is not based on histo

  • consistency

    Etymology Latin consistentia standing together From consistere to stand together