| Brahman |
God, Tao, Absolute |
Questions of ultimate reality |
The metaphysical meanings differ |
| Atman |
Soul, self, consciousness |
Questions of human identity |
Buddhist anatman and Abrahamic soul concepts are not Vedantic Atman |
| Dharma |
Law, Torah, Sharia, virtue, Dao |
Belief translated into lived order |
Dharma is semantically broader and historically layered |
| Karma |
Sin, judgment, moral causation |
Consequences of action |
Karma is not simply divine punishment or reward |
| Moksha |
Salvation, nirvana, liberation |
Release from bondage |
What is escaped and what liberation means differ |
| Bhakti |
Love of God, devotional mysticism |
Personal devotion |
The theological object differs |
| Yoga |
Meditation, monastic discipline, contemplative prayer |
Disciplined attention |
Classical Yoga is a specific Indian philosophical system |
| Puja |
Worship, liturgy, sacrament |
Ritual encounter with the sacred |
Image, offering and divine presence have distinct meanings |
| Ahimsa |
Nonviolence, compassion |
Ethical restraint |
Jain, Buddhist, Sanatan Dharma and modern meanings differ |
| Seva |
Charity, service |
Service to others |
It can have explicitly devotional dimensions |
| Guru |
Rabbi, priest, pastor, sheikh, lama |
Teacher/guide |
Authority structures differ |
| Prasada |
Eucharist, blessed food, sacred meal |
Sacred food |
Theology of divine presence differs |