THE CONCEPT OF DHARMA: SCOPE AND COMPLEXITIES

Abstract

The concept of Dharma has been and continues to be one of the most debated concepts. It is often associated with religion or one's duty towards fellow beings. However, the meaning and scope of the concept of Dharma are much broader and constantly expanding. Another misconception surrounding this concept is that it is synonymous with Hinduism or the Hindu religion in general. Therefore, in this article, the authors have attempted to discuss in detail the scope of the concept of Dharma and dispel several misconceptions, negative moral doubts, and superficial arguments surrounding the term. The authors have also described the complexities inherent in this term in detail. The concept of Dharma is inclusive and its interpretation goes beyond faith, religion, God, and any supernatural entity. Therefore, it is essential that students of political thought and others be aware of the social and political ideas of the great thinkers who laid the foundation of Indian social and political institutions. The authors have attempted to highlight the rich traditions of the concept of Dharma in this article, as it has evolved since ancient times, and Indians should rediscover the relevance of this concept by preserving the traditions of "Why Dharma" and the essential religious traditions of India. The rich religious traditions present within the Indian knowledge tradition may become an inspiration for other religious denominations, regardless of their caste, race, color, and creed. The authors conclude that the concept of religion cannot be defined in any single way and cannot be limited to any particular faith or belief system.