what is dharma

Dharma is a concept of central importance in Indian philosophy and religion, with multiple meanings in Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism. It is difficult to provide a single concise definition for dharma, as the word has a long and varied history and straddles a complex set of meanings and interpretations. In Hinduism, dharma refers to the religious duties, moral rights and duties of each individual, as well as behaviors that enable social order, right conduct, and those that are virtuous. It is also the eternal order that rules the universe and the duty or law that governs one's life. In Buddhism, dharma is the doctrine, the universal truth common to all individuals at all times, proclaimed by the Buddha. It is considered one of the three jewels of Buddhism, alongside the Sangha and the Buddha, together paving the path to enlightenment