Ibrahim Trawally

Religion 2300-400

A Dharma or A Religion?
Hinduism is sometimes called a religion by many, even though it is considered a dharma which
could mean "eternal duty" by the primary sources of Hinduism. The concept of dharma (eternal duty) in
some ways is similar to the concept of religion because they both take part in rituals, how to live life,
have books, etc, though there are a lot similarity between the definition of dharma and traditional
religions, there are a lot of differences as well. The term religion in the dictionary is define as the
belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods and the
term dharma is defined as the principle of cosmic order. Dharma contradicts the definition of religion
because all that's required of you is to be positive, be a good person and you don't have to commit your
self to a God or gods like a religion would tell too. Dharma is not this structural theme like that of a
traditional religions. All religions tells us to do good things in a structured manner, where dharma
teaches us to just do good. In my opinion Hindu should be considered a dharma whether than religion. I
believe that Huduism should be refered to as a dharma instead of a religion.
Unlike a religion, dharma applies to all creation, Hindus or non-Hindus and it even applies to
god(s). By the definition of dharma if you help another person in a time of need, you could be
considered a Hindu and by just being a human being you are a Hindu because we are all part of the
dharma (eternal duty). Dharma is very flexible that in some ways it could all creation accordingly to
which class to belong to (eg humans, birds, fishes etc). Religion on the other hand does not really have
a place or a purpose for animals like it does for humans.
Religion outlines what you must do and not do in order to achieve heaven, where in dharma you
are free to choose which a path that pursuit in order to reach enlightenment. Another thing that religion
and dharma have in common is that like how religion have the concept of hell, dharma also have a

thing called karma which pretty such means if you do good, you will receive good and if you do bad
you will receive bad, karma happens here on earth, where as in religion it is only possible in the
afterlife. This concept of karma only applies to humans because we know the difference between right
and wrong where animals don't.
Though as I have said above that the meaning of dharma is eternal duty, it can also mean good,
virtue, right, justice or law etc. For example our book states that dharma refers to a broad complex of
meanings, encompassing duty, natural law, social welfare, ethics, health and transcendental
realization.1 Dharma have sociological binding among humans that must religions doesn't and that's
because in some ways it considers everyone to be a Hindu and doesn't have a central traditional core
that religion have which caused division. In Hinduism there are a lot gods and goddess because they all
represent different virtues and are free from religion description of god(s) or goddess.
Religion and dharma have some concept in common with one and another, but I don't believe
that the way that Hindus themselves description Hinduism can fit into the definition of religion, it can
only fit into the description of dharma which is eternal duty, and other meanings are also good, virtue,
justice etc. For someone to be a Muslim, Jew or a Christian they must participate in certain acts before
he or she can become one of these religions, one must believe father-figure and ruler characteristic of
God and follow the what they are to do or not do by the Quran, Torah, or the Bible, Hinduism
contradicts this. In Hinduism the god(s) and goddess don't fit the concept of god like how religion have
it instead they represent virtue. If one does a good deed not because of karma or God, but because is the
right thing to do, they are considered a Hindu. With religion you have to more than just good deeds in
order to be considered a member. Dharma applies to all beings: humans, animals and even god(s) and
goddess' and Hinduism teaches that practice. Hinduism shouldn't be a called a religion because it
doesn't do just to it; it in a way limits its meaning and its ideology.

1 Living Religions ch.3 Hinduism p. 73

Citation
Canvas: https://slcc.instructure.com/courses/353648/pages/hinduism-3-upanishadic-era?
module_item_id=3564562
Fisher, Mary Pat. "Hinduism." Living Religions. 8th ed. 73-133. Print.