Dharma and Karma

Some schools of spiritual thought tout the idea of Dharma, which basically means your "purpose in life." We've all been sent here to pursue something, to accomplish some thing. Seems it's a Hindu and Buddhist thing primarily. I found this explanation from a Hindu point of view:
"Dharma is the path of righteousness and living one's life according to the codes of conduct as described by the Vedas and Upanishads."


"Dharma therefore implies duty - a course of conduct. For example, Hinduism endorses the idea that it is one's Dharma to marry, raise a family and provide for that family in whatever way is necessary."


Webster's Dictionary lists Dharma as a Hindu/Buddhist concept: "conformity to one's duty and nature." Interesting.

Karma on the other hand is something most of us are familiar with. From a Hindu point of view, bad karma is something that is accrued when one goes against his Dharma, and good karma is accrued when you follow your Dharma. I'm not a Hindu, nor am I a member of any other religious club. However I do believe in the concept of karma, if only from the old saying "what goes around comes around." It's true. If you spread good energy, good energy tends to come back to you. When you emit negative energy, expect the same in return. Even from a simple micro level... notice when you're nice and polite to the store clerk, they're more likely to be nice and polite back to you. All of us can relate to that. I like the idea of karma, and I'm comfortable with it. It makes sense from a feeling/knowing as well as a logical point of view.

Dharma on the other hand I have problems with. I like the idea that I have a "reason and purpose" for being here. And my Dharma is there, is must simply follow it and I'll be rewarded... but is it true? Do we all as individuals have a "Purpose" that we must find? Or is life really just an experience of infinite possibilities that we have complete freedom to pick and choose from? Is there something I'm supposed to be doing right now? Or is life just an all you can eat buffet and I'm free to pick and choose whatever I want.


I'll write more on this later.