Sanatan Dharam

Sanatan Dharma is a term used for religions based on rebirth. So it is applied to Jainism, Buddhism and Hinduism. These religions emerged in the Gangetic plains in the second millennium BCE, and spread across the Indian subcontinent. These have to be distinguished from monotheistic religions such as Judaism, Christianity and Islam that emerged in the Middle East and spread around the world.

In monotheistic religions, you are born only once and have to live that one life the right way following the word of God revealed through messengers. In this world, diversity in society is the result of unjust human actions. Hence, the obsession with justice in this one and only life, and the fear of Judgment Day at the end of this life. But principles of Sanatan Dharma are different, with Jainism and Buddhism veering towards monasticism and Hinduism valuing the householder*s life.