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Is the mainstream religious traditions by which those in India practice a religion or
dharma? That is a hard choice. Dharma is a way of life, a frame of mind, holistic, etc. Religion
can be looked at the same way. So how do we decide which title is better fitting for the Indian’s
way of life? Understanding Dharma is the first step, then deciding the similarities and
differences that distinguish the two and seeing what suits these religious traditions the best.
The term Dharma does not have good direct translation to the English language. Thus,
the best we can do is try to describe it the way our western minds have been trained to think.
The best words to describe dharma are simply stated by Mary Pat Fisher, author of Living
Traditions, who stated, “Dharma often translated as “religion,” encompasses duty, natural law,
social welfare, ethics, health, and transcendental realization. Dharma is thus a holistic approach
to social coherence and the good of all, a concept corresponding to order in the cosmos.1”
Although Fisher gives an excellent starting point to explaining what dharma is, it is just the
start. Dharma goes so much deeper. Dharma is religion, personal well-being, a way of live,
social order, and more. Gavin D. Flood writes: The term “dharma” is untranslatable in that it
has no direct semantic equivalents in any western languages that convey the resonance of
associations expressed by the term. It has been variously translated as, “duty,” “religion,”
“justice,” “law,” “ethics,” “religious merit,” “principle” and “right.2”….Dharma is an allencompassing ideology which embraces both ritual and moral behavior, whose neglect would
1
Mary Pat Fisher. "Hinduism." Living Religions. Seventh ed. Upper Saddle River: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2008. 72.
Print.
2
Gavin D. Flood "Dharma." An Introduction to Hinduism. Cambridge: Cambridge University, 2012. 52-74. Print.
have both social and personal consequences. Hillary Rodrigues gives us our last definition of
dharma: Dharma articulates the way things are and prescribes how one should behave in
relation to the cosmic order.3 Continuing our learning, the cosmic order needs to be
explained.
The origins of this ideology begin with the cosmic order. According to the Hindus the
start of existence started with a cosmic man. This man was sacrificed by the gods and from his
mouth the priests of their society were made, from his arm came the kings and rulers, from his
thigh came the commoners, or middle class, and lastly from his feet came the serfs, also known
as the untouchables. This was the start of the caste system which still goes on today in Hindu
society. Each class, excluding the untouchables, has four stages or goals they must follow
throughout their life. They must first become students and learn the goal being dharma. The
second stage is householder, marrying and having a family, and the ultimate goal is artha
(money). The third stage is that of retirement which is kama (enjoyment). The last stage is
renouncer and the goal being moksa (mediation and self-awareness). This caste system is all
part of the cosmic order in which life best functions according to the Hindus. The cosmic order
can be found in a book called the Dharma Sastras.
Everything a Hindu follows living dharma every day in their lives is found in the Dharma Sastras.
The Dharma Sastras lays out specifics of social obligation for Hindus in system also known as the
Varnasramadharma. Varna meaning various classes in which Hindu society is traditionally
3
Hillary Rodrigues Hinduism: The Ebook: An Online Introduction. Journal of Buddhist Ethics Online, 2006.100.
Print.
divided. While asrama stages that demarcate a person’s journey through life4. The Dharma
Sastras contains the Law of Manu. These are laws about how to cremate the dead, picking a
wife, purity, and pollution, what to eat and what not to eat, loans, money, what rules are for the
king, boundary disputes, rituals, etc.5 The book is a guide for life. Almost like an instruction
manual to how to succeed. These laws were given by Manu. He was created by Brahma (The
Creator and essence of everything) as a servant, and Manu created all people for Brahma. Thus
creating people he created laws to coexist with the cosmic order. Hillary Rodrigues refers to the
Dharma Sastras as treaties that deal with dharma. Rodrigues goes on to explain that Hindus
believe that Gods themselves are dharmic. Meaning they maintain the natural order and
regulate the cosmos. By self-regulation and sacrifice to the Gods/Goddesses regularly helps
sustain the cosmic order.6
Religion is something that people have tried to define over centuries, yet still today we cannot
come up with a definition that is all inclusive to the vast and growing number of religions that
exist. J. Miltion Yinger, Bradley, and William James have come up with great definitions of what
religion is to them. They share some similarities, yet differ.
Bradley has an interesting and definition about his take on religion. He wrote, “Religion
usually has to do with man's relationship to the unseen world, to the world of spirits, demons,
and gods. A second element common to all religions is the term salvation. All religions seek to
help man find meaning in a universe which all too often appears to be hostile to his interests.
4
Hillary Rodrigues Hinduism: The Ebook: An Online Introduction. Journal of Buddhist Ethics Online, 2006.100.
Print.
5
Hillary Rodrigues Hinduism: The Ebook: An Online Introduction. Journal of Buddhist Ethics Online, 2006.100.
Print.
6
Hillary Rodrigues Hinduism: The Ebook: An Online Introduction. Journal of Buddhist Ethics Online, 2006.100.
Print.
The world salvation means, basically, health. “It means one is saved from disaster, fear, hunger,
and a meaningless life. It means one is saved for hope, love, security, and the fulfillment of
purpose.7” I do agree with the salvation bit. There is in most religions some sort of goal the
participants are striving for. Whether that be salvation, reincarnation, exhalation, peace with
the universe, etc. Religion brings certain people hope for the unanswered questions in life and
brings a sense of security that everything will be alright despite the unknown elements and
facts of life. However, Bradley does not include all religions in his own definition. His definition
fails to encompass Taoism is a simple example. Taoism does not believe in God’s, demons, etc.
It is a belief system that doesn’t have dogma. Even though Bradley’s definition is a good one, it
still leaves out some religions.
We have to break religion down past the belief in God(s), Goddess(s), spirits, etc. and
look at religion at a much more primitive eye. Religion is more about our beliefs that then mold
our way of life, traditions, morals, and culture. J. Miltion Yinger definition is, “Religion is a
system of beliefs and practices by means of which a group of people struggle with the ultimate
problem of human life.8” I think out of most definitions Yinger comes very close to defining
religion the best, but still there is something missing. Some religions do not have a system that
they adhere to. Again, some religions are more free thinkers, and do not practice dogma. Also it
fails to mention the cultural aspects of religion as well.
William James said it beautifully when he said, “The very fact that they are so many and so
different from one another is enough to prove that the word 'religion' cannot stand for any
7
8
Bradley. “Various Definitions of Religion.” Web. 1 Jan. 2015.
J. Miltion Yinger. “Various Definitions of Religion.” Web. 27 Jan. 2015.
single principle or essence, but is rather a collective name.9” Religions are so vast and different
there is no possible way to come up with a definition to come close to defining it.
In conclusion, the religious traditions that Indians live by is considered dharma. It
focuses on the entire body, mind, and acts of everyday in a different way than most religions.
Indians practice yoga, dance, mediation, diet, and prayer to deities, and much more. They are
also focused on not only their own well-being but the well-being of their own family and
community. I would say that most religions do however have you live a certain way, however I
think Hinduism and other such religions in India can be viewed as a holistic way to live for
everyone involved making it dharma.
9
William James. “Various Definitions of Religion.” Web. 27 Jan. 2015.
Bibliography
Bradley. “Various Definitions of Religion.” Web. 27 Jan. 2015.
Fisher, Mary Pat. "Hinduism." Living Religions. Seventh ed. Upper Saddle River: Pearson
Prentice Hall, 2008. 72. Print.
Flood, Gavin D. "Dharma." An Introduction to Hinduism. Cambridge: Cambridge University,
2012. 52-74. Print.
James, William. “Various Definitions of Religion.” Web. 27 Jan. 2015.
Rodrigues, Hillary. Hinduism: The Ebook: An Online Introduction. Journal of Buddhist Ethics
Online. 2006. Print.
Yinger, J. Miltion. “Various Definitions of Religion.” Web. 27 Jan. 2015.