A Word - Dharma

The Sanskrit word dharma is derived from the root dhri, meaning "to grasp," and refers to anything perceived to be real or permanent. Thus, dharmas are the objects of the sixth organ of sense, the mind, and roughly equivalent to what we call "thoughts." But because they constitute our perception of reality, dharmas also refer to certain teachings and practices. Thus, dharmas are "truths." And because such teachings and practices often seem permanent or right, dharmas also refer to norms of behavior and thus are "duties."

---Red Pine, in his commentary on The Diamond Sutra---