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Dharma and Religion are being taken as synonymous. But if we are to understand their roots, nature and style, they seem to be quite different from each
other. Let us study them comparatively.
Religion
- It is basically a Latin word. It's meaning according to the Oxford Dictionary is- ‘Belief in superhuman controlling power, especially in a personal God or Gods entitled to Obedience and worship; expression of this in worship, particular system of faith and worship; thing that one is devoted to; life under monastic vows.
The important things in Religion are - personal belief, personal God or Gods, obedience, way ofworship or system of faith. All these things seem to be
personal and subjective matters. They may differ from person to person according to his own belief and conviction. So no one is supposed to interfere in others' belief, because faith or belief is subject of personal
freedom, it is not something to be discussed openly or publicly.
Dharma
- This Sanskrit word is derived from the root - Dhm Dhame. It means to hold or accommodate or possess or follow which is essential to survive in the world for an individual and society together with due harmony and consistency with the whole universe without fail. It is something suitable, relevant and worthy to act upon mentally and physically for the pleasure of all. Opposite of it is Adharma which is not beneficial to any one in any respect and hampers the peace, prosperity and progress of the world.
The word Dharma is used in various contexts in the Vedas, the Upanishads etc. such as virtue, merit, attributes, nature, quality. duty, law, right,
righteousness, property etc. All noble qualities, thoughts and actions are included in Dharma according to Manu, Patanjali and others. The truth, non-violence, non-stealing, celibacy and non-possession are the main
headings or principles of Dharma. Adharma is just contradictory to Dharma.
Let us compare Dharma and Religion on the basis of their definitions and their practical styles.
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Dharma
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Religion
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1. One
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1. Many
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2. Since very beginning of creation
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2. Since very beginning of a person
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3. No founder in the form of human being
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3. Founded by a person
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4. Principles are more important.
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4. Person is more important.
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5. Principles are made of God - the creator who is perfect.
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5. Laws are made of a person who is imperfect.
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6. Laws of nature are laws of Dharma.
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6. Laws made by a person are the laws of religion. They may be contradictory to the laws of nature.
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7. Laws are elastic and suitable to all, always.
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7. Laws are rigid and not necessarily always suitable.
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8. There is a scope of improvements according to the place, person and time.
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8. There is no scope of improvements according to the place, person and time.
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9. Laws of nature and suitability are final.
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9. The word of religious leader is final.
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10. Based upon truth and facts
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10. Based upon beliefs and miracles
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11. Principles and actions make a person important and noble.
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11. A person makes laws and orders important.
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12. Universal
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12. Temporary
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13. Full of philosophical, logical and scientific facts and free from historical events and superstitions.
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13. Full of historical events and superstitions.
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14. Freedom of thought, speech and action
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14. Slavery of thought, speech and action
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15. Based upon pure knowledge, morality and logic.
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15. Based on Mythology, faiths and miracles rather than humanity and rationality.
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16. Good to all and bad to none in all respect.
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16. Good only to believers and bad to non-believers.
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17. Aim is to make noble and rational people, human beings in the world.
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17. Aim is to make more believers by any means in the world.
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18. New experiments, improvements and progress are always appreciable.
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18. New experiments, improvements and progress are not allowed.
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19. Always dynamic and open to logical discussion.
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19. Always static and closed for logical discussion.
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20. A matter of common sense, understanding and practice in life respecting the laws of nature. Worship is just a means.
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20. A Matter of following the instructions given by the founder person or personal Gods. It is rather a way of worship.
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21. By birth, one can be a Dharmic, just being a good person to all.
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21. To be a religious person, one must bring faith upon a founder person and undergo the ritual process.
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22. One can achieve God directly without bringing any faith upon a messenger or personal Gods.
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22. One cannot achieve God directly without bringing faith upon a messenger, a prophet or a founder person.
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23. Main aim is to make the thoughts and actions of a person nobler for all. This is known as act of Purification. Dharma
is for all, like humanity. So there is no scope of any dispute or fighting. It is singular. So there cannot be any trouble. Dharma is a matter of Universal Peace.
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23. Main aim is to convert people from one Religion to another by various means. Because religions are many, they cannot be
trouble free. Not only this but religion is a bone of contention.
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24. Whenever there is truth, peace and prosperity there is Dharma.
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24. It is practically impossible in different religions.
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25. Looks forward for quality always.
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25. Religions look forward for quantity.
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26. Dharmic is he who is impartial and moral to all.
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26. It is too difficult to be impartial and moral with the people of other Religions and faiths.
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27. Laws of God or nature are always perfect in the Universe.
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27. Laws of any human being, however super he may be, cannot be perfect.
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28. Only god can be the prime source of all knowledge.
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28. Never the personal Gods or persons.
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On the basis of their different roots, Etymology, Philosophy and various styles, we find that
Dharma and Religion are quite different from each other in many respects. They cannot be taken as synonymous to each other.
Taking into account, all the aspects of Dharma and various Religions, we can say that
Dharma is not a Religion but Dharma is something universal, moral, humanistic, rational, reasonable, dynamic and result orientated like Maths and Science and therefore scientific.
It is very difficult to find any Religion in parallel to Dharma in the world. So, it seems better
to be a Dharmic than Religious, if we want to make this world peaceful and prosperous to all without exception.
I hope, this brief discussion over the words Dharma and Religion based upon their own nature and style, may help us to understand them to some extend.
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