Dharma vs Religion: A New Way to Understand Eastern Philosophy
When discussing Eastern philosophy, I am primarily referring to Indian traditions—such as Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism—as well as Chinese schools like Confucianism, Legalism, and Taoism, and Japanese thought, which blends elements of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Shinto. There are also other traditions, such as Korean philosophy, which draw from these systems while incorporating local practices like shamanism. However, my familiarity lies more with Hinduism and Buddhism, so I will focus mainly on these two.
I hesitate to describe Hinduism and Buddhism as “religions,” as there is no exact equivalent of the word “religion” in Sanskrit or Hindi. The term dharma is often used as a translation, but the two are not synonymous. The Oxford Dictionary defines religion as a system of faith and worship, whereas dharma refers more broadly to a righteous path or duty—one that guides individuals toward transcendence, liberation (moksha), or a deeper understanding of reality. In many contexts, it encompasses philosophical inquiry into the nature of existence itself.
As such, dharma is a more expansive and less doctrinal concept, not confined to belief, dogma, or divine revelation. Consequently, ideas such as blasphemy or formal conversion do not occupy the same central role within these traditions.
