Dharma (Jainism)

Dharma (Jainism)

Jain texts assign a wide range of meaning to the word Dharma (Sanskrit: धर्म) or Dhamma (Prakrit: धम्म). It is often translated as “religion” and as such, Jainism is called Jain Dharma by its adherents.

The word Dharma encompasses the following meanings in Jainism:

  1. The true nature of a thing
  2. Rationality of perception, knowledge and conduct
  3. Ten virtues like forgiveness, etc. also called ten forms of Dharma
  4. Ahimsa – protection to all living beings
  5. Two paths – of the monks and the laity
  6. Dharma as a dravya (substance or a reality) (the principle of motion)

Read more about Dharma (Jainism):  The Nature of A Substance, Samyaktva - Rationality of Perception, Knowledge and Conduct, Ten Virtues As Dharma, Ahimsa As Dharma, Two Fold Path of Ascetics and Laypersons, Dharma-tattva and Dharmastikaya