Definition d'jour

dharma (DHAR-muh) noun
[From Sanskrit dharma (law, custom, duty). Ultimately from Indo-European root dher- (to hold firmly or support) that is also the source of firm, affirm, confirm, farm, fermata, and firmament.]

1. Duty; right behavior.

2. Law, especially the eternal law of the cosmos.

3. Religion.

I'm repeating the word and definition of the word featured in Monday's Word a Day e-list. I'm sure most of you noticed the word in the box on the right. I include the definition here for those who did not "click through", and who may not be certain of its meaning.

I was mildly surprised. I had supposed, based on usage, that "dharma" meant something like "teaching." I suppose that might be a logical application, expanding on the concepts of "duty" or "law".

That is, if one understands those concepts in a relatively broad fashion.

What Christians call the Old Testament is divided into two major sections: the Law and the Prophets [Note: there is a third section, the Writings]. We remember this because Jesus says the Law and the Prophets are summed up by the Great Commandment. The Hebrew word for "Law" is "Torah". Another way to translate "Torah" is as "Way" or "Path".

In what our Jewish friends call the Young Testament, Jesus refers to himself as the Way. In a similar fashion, the Chinese word "Tao" may be translated as "Way"; in fact, one book translates the title Tao de Ching as The Way of Changes.

All of which points to an understanding of this "eternal law of the cosmos" as a way of life, rather than a list of rules and regulations. This understanding is important.

In contemporary understanding, the word "Law" implies punishment, and many choose to obey the Law simply to avoid punishment. But, to adopt a Way of life is entirely different. Obedience to law only changes the outward person; following a Path (or Way) changes a person from the inside out.