What is Dharma? The Universal Principle of Treating Others as Yourself

Loving Kindness

At its heart, Dharma is often described as the law of righteousness — the way of living in harmony with truth, justice, and the good of all. But when we distill Dharma to its essence, it reflects a simple yet profound moral principle: Treat others the way you want to be treated.

This golden rule, far from being a new idea, is a timeless value shared across many of the world’s spiritual traditions. Let’s explore what Dharma means and how different religions and philosophies express this idea.

Dharma in Hinduism

In Hindu thought, Dharma (from the Sanskrit root dhṛ, “to uphold”) is the duty that sustains harmony — personal, social, and cosmic. It is about doing what is right, fair, and aligned with one’s nature and role in society (svadharma).

The Mahabharata famously says:

“Do not do to others what would cause pain if done to you.” (Mahabharata, Book 13: Anushasana Parva, Section 113)

This establishes Dharma not just as a personal virtue but as a social ethic — recognizing that the well-being of others is intimately tied to our own.

The Golden Rule in Christianity

In the Bible, Jesus teaches a similar principle:

“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”(Matthew 7:12, NIV)

This encapsulates the spirit of Christian morality — love and empathy for one’s neighbor as oneself.

Loving-Kindness in Buddhism

Buddhism emphasizes Karuṇā (compassion) and Mettā (loving-kindness). In the Udana-Varga, a Buddhist scripture, we find:

“Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful.”(Udana-Varga 5:18)

Though Buddhism doesn’t use the term Dharma in exactly the same way as Hinduism, the principle of right conduct (part of the Eightfold Path) mirrors this ethos.

Justice in Islam

In Islam, righteousness and justice are central. The Qur’an states:

“Woe to those who give less [than due], who, when they take a measure from people, take in full. But if they give them by measure or by weight, they cause loss." (Qur’an, Surah Al-Mutaffifin 83:1–3)

And also:

“Do unto all men as you would they should do unto you and reject for them that which you would reject for yourself." (Hadith: Abu Dawood, Kitab al-Adab)

Confucianism: Reciprocity

Even Confucius expressed this universal idea centuries ago:

“Do not impose on others what you do not wish for yourself." (Analects 15:24)

Dharma as Universal Law

Across these traditions, we see that Dharma isn’t just about following a rigid set of rules. It is about being aware of how our actions affect others and acting with fairness, empathy, and integrity — understanding that we are all connected.

When you treat others the way you wish to be treated, you uphold harmony in your family, community, and the world — which is the very essence of Dharma.

Closing Thoughts

Dharma is not only a religious duty but also a universal moral compass.

Whether you call it Dharma, the Golden Rule, compassion, or justice — the message is clear: We all thrive when we respect the humanity in one another.

Next time you face a choice, ask yourself: Would I want to be treated this way?

That question alone can guide you to live your Dharma.