In ‘Dharma’ by Chaturvedi Badrinath, he defines religion as “a central belief system, where God is understood to be the creator of the universe and where there are scriptures and commandments illuminating the teachings of God. Dharma, on the other hand, is unique in its understanding. It is the Indian understanding of Man and the way of the civilization that existed around him”. Therefore, it is necessary to recognize the difference between dharma and religion. Rather than viewing the two as synonyms or, on the other hand, completely unilateral, they should be looked at as relative terms.
Table of Contents
What is Dharma?
Dharma encompasses all moral values that a person should abide by in his life. It includes kindness, generosity, empathy, solidarity, etc. It is not rigid or bound by a strict set of rules and regulations. Instead, it is a broad, inclusive philosophy. The term ‘dharma’ is derived from the root ‘dhr’, which means to nourish, to sustain or to protect. It extends beyond religious sacrifices or yajna to the cosmic order.
Duty and righteousness are two essential aspects of dharma and represent the inherent order or stability of the universe. Reflected in the Mahabharata as well, the discourse over dharma has been going on for times immemorial. But it all comes down to the fact that it is the law of the natural order and is the reality of life. Dharma is for the intellect. The way to apply and inculcate it in your life depends on how you perceive the world around you.
What is Religion?
Where dharma is the path of appropriate behavior, religion is faith or worship; it is to follow a rule that is dharma itself. Religion is a theological construct and a way of living with certain rules or regulations. Scriptures need to be read, and rituals need to be performed.
Followers of a particular sect like to believe in a higher power which influences the way they live their lives, giving way to the conclusion that religion has a profound impact on the development of society. However, in the name of fulfilling spiritual needs, the basic human needs are sidelined in the greater scheme of things; while wars are fought in the name of religion, dharma strictly accounts for universal kindness, highlighting the difference between dharma and religion.
Are Dharma and Religion the Same?
According to certain sources, the idea of religion is fundamentally a Western concept, having been introduced by Catholic missionaries for their God, Abraham. Contradictorily, dharma is a philosophical idea introduced in Indian texts. In the Atharva Veda, dharma is described as the “oldest customary order”. Although used interchangeably, dharma is truth, and religion comes after dharma; hence, they are not the same.
The Difference Between Dharma and Religion Explained
The difference between dharma and religion lies in the fact that dharma is a broader concept applicable to all beings, regardless of their religious beliefs, as religion is more specific and centers around the divine. Further, there is a formula for religion. Everything needs to be done at a certain time and place. This is not the case for dharma, as it is based on time, place and person.
Dharma differs according to the circumstance. In the game of dice in the Mahabharata, there arose a great debate revolving around dharma when no one could interfere during Draupadi’s violation in a whole assembly of men just because there was a conflict of dharma. Due to the subject’s vastness and not a definite meaning to it, there was not one correct answer as to what is the “right” way of handling this particular situation. It was the intervention of Lord Krishna, a religious figure, who eventually saved Draupadi from total humiliation. So, while religion has an answer, dharma fails to do so.
The dynamism of dharma evolves with its understanding, while religion remains static, like the institutions it is associated with, such as temples, churches, and mosques.
Conclusion
In essence, dharma is a holistic concept that consists of the entire spectrum of human experiences and is the underlying principle that guides a person’s life, whereas religion is one way to practice dharma. By understanding the difference between dharma and religion, it becomes easier to appreciate the ways people seek meaning in their lives. Religion offers spiritual stability, whereas true achievement of dharma aligns one in harmony with the cosmic order.
FAQs
Are dharma and religion the same?
No, dharma and religion are not the same. Although they are connected and not entirely unrelated, it would not be correct to use them interchangeably. Dharma is a broad concept, and religion is just one aspect of it.
What is the difference between religion and dharma?
Dharma is the ultimate truth of life, which every human should strive to attain, while religion is the faith in supernatural power and living according to the commandments and scriptures of a sect. Religion is a way of practising dharma, and here lies the difference between dharma and religion. Dharma is a philosophy, while religion is a social and theological construct.
Is Hinduism a religion or dharma?
Hinduism is a religion that involves polytheism, i.e., the belief or worship of many gods. The existence of scriptures like the Bhagavad Gita and rigid rules to follow essentially place Hinduism in the category of religion. While it emphasizes principles of dharma, such as righteous living, it remains static and does not evolve over time.
