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:
- The true nature of a thing
- Rationality of perception, knowledge and conduct
- Ten virtues like forgiveness, etc. also called ten forms of Dharma
- Ahimsa – protection to all living beings
- Two paths – of the monks and the laity
- 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