Dharma originated from the word dhri, which in Sanskrit, means to uphold or sustain. In Jainism, there is universal dharma and the dharma that every human must also uphold. Dharma is merely the nature of something that is essential to its existance. In Jainism, finding one's dharma is the only way to truly understand the meaning of one's existence, and it is therefore an important goal in a Jain's life.
Dharma allows one to destroy their own inner conflicts and enemies, and one that has found their own dharma is therefore void of all greed, hatred, and attatchment to objects.
While the definition of dharma is simple enough, it ties in with everything else in Jainism. Dharma goes hand in hand with karma, which is talked about on another page, and the three jewels of Jainism help lead one to finding their dharma. This is also discussed on another page. All in all, finding and practicing one's dharma is the goal of a Jain's life, because only then can their enlightened souls move to a higher tier in the universe.
Dharma allows one to destroy their own inner conflicts and enemies, and one that has found their own dharma is therefore void of all greed, hatred, and attatchment to objects.
While the definition of dharma is simple enough, it ties in with everything else in Jainism. Dharma goes hand in hand with karma, which is talked about on another page, and the three jewels of Jainism help lead one to finding their dharma. This is also discussed on another page. All in all, finding and practicing one's dharma is the goal of a Jain's life, because only then can their enlightened souls move to a higher tier in the universe.