Significance of Dharmakaya
Dharmakaya in Buddhism represents the ultimate body of truth, embodying the essence of reality and the state of enlightenment characterized by compassion and wisdom. It reflects the unconditioned nature of existence and serves as the truth body of a Buddha, arising from accumulated wisdom and transcending physical form. This concept illustrates the Buddha's enlightened nature, which encompasses the teachings of Dharma and embodies ultimate reality, accessible to enlightened beings while remaining beyond conventional understanding for ordinary individuals.
Synonyms: Emptiness, True nature, Ultimate reality, Essence, Absolute truth, Essential nature, Absolute nature
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Dharmakaya'
Dharmakaya in Buddhism represents the ultimate truth and essence of the Buddha, embodying formless enlightenment, spiritual wisdom, and the ultimate reality beyond phenomenality, serving as the foundation of truth in Buddhist philosophy.
From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra
(1) The ultimate truth embodiment of the Buddha, which he attained while residing near the river Nairanjana.[1] (2) The ultimate truth body of a Buddha, reflecting the non-conceptual nature and profound wisdom inherent in reality.[2] (3) The truth body in Buddhism which bodhisattvas attain, allowing them to overcome the aggregate-mara.[3] (4) The body of the law, which represents the ultimate truth in Buddhist philosophy.[4] (5) The ultimate reality or truth in Buddhism, representing the essence of Buddhahood, which the bodhisattvas embody.[5]
From: The gods of northern Buddhism
(1) The body of the Buddha representing the ultimate reality or truth that underlies all phenomena.[6] (2) The 'body of Dharma', reflecting the inner enlightened body of a Buddha and serving as the source of inspiration for preaching esoteric doctrines.[7] (3) The inner enlightened body of a Buddha, representing the essence of truth and law in Buddhism.[8] (4) The truth body of a Buddha, representing the ultimate reality and formless aspect of enlightenment.[9]
From: Lankavatara Sutra
(1) The ultimate reality or truth in Mahayana Buddhism, representing the Buddha's absolute nature.[10] (2) The ultimate body of a Buddha representing their true nature and the essence of enlightenment.[11] (3) The ultimate nature of reality as understood in Buddhism, representing the truth body of a Buddha which transcends phenomena.[12] (4) The ultimate truth body of a Buddha, representing the ultimate reality beyond form and characteristics.[13]
From: Karandavyuha Sutra
(1) The body of the Buddha representing the universal principle of all consciousness.[14] (2) The ultimate, formless aspect of the Buddha, symbolizing the universal truth and teachings of Buddhism.[15] (3) One of the three bodies of a Buddha, representing the ultimate truth and teaching embodied by the Buddha.[16]
From: Bodhisattvacharyavatara
(1) The ultimate truth or essence of a buddha, inaccessible to ordinary beings.[17] (2) The ultimate body of the Buddha, representing the teachings and truths of the dharma.[18] (3) A term describing the ultimate reality or truth in Buddhism, which is associated with enlightenment and the state of a Sugata.[19]
From: The 6th Patriarch Platform Sutra
(1) One of the three bodies of a Buddha, representing the truth body or the essence of reality.[20] (2) The essence of the Buddha, representing the ultimate reality of existence.[21] (3) The ultimate reality in Buddhist thought, where true merits are said to reside.[22]
From: Mahayana Mahaparinirvana Sutra
(1) The true body of reality in which the Tathagata embodies the law of Buddha-nature, unchanging and the source of all phenomena.[23] (2) The truth body of the Buddha, embodying the ultimate reality and the teachings of the Buddha.[24]
From: Vimalakirti Nirdesa Sutra
(1) The ultimate, formless body of the Buddha, representing wisdom and enlightenment as a state of existence.[25]
From: Abhidharmakośa
(1) The principle of reality as perceived by the Buddhas, representing the ultimate truth of existence.[26]
From: The Great Chariot
(1) The ultimate body of truth or reality in Buddhist teachings, which can be obscured through attachments.[27] (2) The ultimate body of truth that embodies the true nature of reality devoid of any grasping.[28] (3) The ultimate nature of reality as perceived by enlightened beings.[29] (4) The fundamental state of being that transcends complexity and manifests as great peace and pure ultimate reality.[30] (5) The ultimate truth body of a Buddha that embodies the essence of enlightenment and wisdom.[31]
From: Blue Annals (deb-ther sngon-po)
(1) The ultimate nature of a Buddha, embodying spiritual truth, of which sgam po pa perceived the essence.[32] (2) The ultimate state of reality in Buddhism, representing the truth and essence of the Buddha beyond form.[33] (3) The 'Cosmical Body of the Buddha' discussed between the Dharmasvamin and his Teacher, representing the ultimate state of truth in Buddhism.[34] (4) The ultimate state or body of the Buddha, representing its profound and unmanifested essence, inviting intuition.[35] (5) The truth body of a Buddha, which Rta ston jo yes realized was present within him but initially went unrecognized.[36]
From: The Six Yogas of Naropa
(1) The aspect of enlightenment considered the immutable essence or body of ultimate reality within Buddhist philosophy.[37] (2) The ultimate state of reality or truth in Buddhist philosophy, often associated with the Light of Death.[38] (3) The truth body that embodies the ultimate reality within Buddhist philosophy.[39]
The concept of 'Dharmakaya' in local and regional sources
Dharmakaya represents the truth body of the Buddha, embodying ultimate reality achieved through the realization of clear light, emphasizing its significance in Buddhist philosophy and enlightenment experiences.
From: Tibet (Myth, Religion and History)
(1) The truth body of the Buddha, activated through the realization of clear light.[40]