Dharmadhara, Dharma-dhara, Dharmādhara, Dharma-adhara: 7 definitions
Introduction:
Dharmadhara means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
In Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)
Source: archive.org: The Indian Buddhist IconographyDharmadhara (धर्मधर) is the (Mortal) Bodhisattva associated with by Buddha Kaśyapa: one of the seven mortal Buddhas (mānuṣī) whose names appear last in the list of thirty-two Buddhas in Mahāyāna Buddhism.—The last seven Tathāgatas are well-known, and are designated by the Mahāyānist as Mānuṣī or “Mortal Buddhas”. When represented, the last seven Mortal Buddhas appear all alike; they are of one colour and one form, usually sitting cross-legged,with the right hand disposed in the Bhūmisparśa-mudrā (earth-touching attitute), which is the mudrā peculiar to Akṣobhya. [...] In paintings, the Mortal Buddhas [viz., Kaśyapa and Dharmadhara] have usually a yellow or golden complexion. [...] Sometimes they are represented as standing, in which case the appear under a distinguishing Bodhi Tree and with a distinguishing mudrā.
Dharmadhara is brought into existence by the (Mortal) Buddha Kaśyapa with his (Mortal) Buddhaśakti named Mahīdharā.
Source: OSU Press: Cakrasamvara SamadhiDharmādhara (धर्माधर) refers to “dharma sustainer”, according to the Guru Mandala Worship (maṇḍalārcana) ritual often performed in combination with the Cakrasaṃvara Samādhi, which refers to the primary pūjā and sādhanā practice of Newah Mahāyāna-Vajrayāna Buddhists in Nepal.—Accordingly, “In praise (of) Śrī Vajrasattva, highest universal guru, origin of all Buddhas, By various forms, removing darkness and fear, fixed resting on Meru. Dharma sustainer (dharmādhara), chief sage, most fortunate victor, Vajradhātu mandala, In one form with all bliss, innate bliss, embodied, the cause for liberation”.
Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha’s words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayāna) are collected indepently.
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita SastraDharmadhārā (धर्मधारा) refers to the “ocean of the Dharma”, according to Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter 3).—Accordingly, “[...] Having praised him thus, they said to Mahākāśyapa: ‘O venerable Kāśyapa! Do you know, O Śākya, the ship of the Dharma (dharmanāva) is broken. The citadel of the Dharma (dharmanagara) is crumbling. The ocean of the Dharma (dharmadhārā) is drying up. The standard of the Dharma (darmapatākā) is being turned upside down. The lamp of the Dharma (dharma-pradīpa) is about to be extinguished. Those who proclaim the Dharma are about to leave. Those who practice the Path are becoming more and more rare. The power of the wicked is ever growing. In your great loving-kindness, it is necessary to found solidly the Buddhadharma’. [...]”.
Mahayana (महायान, mahāyāna) is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sūtras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā sūtras.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit DictionaryDharmadhara (धर्मधर).—(1) adj. or subst. (= Pali dhamma-dhara), one who has a good hold on the Doctrine, i.e. who knows the sūtras well: °ra-saṃgaṇanā Mahāvastu i.70.11 (verse); vaistārikān °rān kuruṣva Divyāvadāna 379.28 (verse); (2) name of a Buddha: Gaṇḍavyūha 285.17; of a (presumably different) Buddha in the nadir, Sukhāvatīvyūha 98.8; (3) name of a Bodhisattva: Kāraṇḍavvūha 1.18; (4) name of a king of the kiṃnaras: Saddharmapuṇḍarīka 4.14; (5) name of a samā- dhi: Kāraṇḍavvūha 51.14; 83.12.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Dharmadhara (धर्मधर):—[=dharma-dhara] [from dharma > dhara] m., ‘l°-supporter’, Name of a [particular] Samādhi
2) [v.s. ...] of a prince of the Kiṃnaras
3) [v.s. ...] of a Bodhi-sattva, [Buddhist literature]
[Sanskrit to German]
Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Dhara, Dharma, Adhara, Tarma.
Starts with: Dharmadharani, Dharmadharaya.
Full-text: Samganana, Dharmajna, Dharmabhanaka, Mahidhara, Kashyapa, Manushi.
Relevant text
Search found 2 books and stories containing Dharmadhara, Dharma-dhara, Dharmādhara, Dharma-adhara, Dharma-ādhara; (plurals include: Dharmadharas, dharas, Dharmādharas, adharas, ādharas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)
Appendix 7 - The Legend of Druma (king of the Gandharvas) < [Chapter XV - The Arrival of the Bodhisattvas of the Ten Directions]
Act 9.6: Ratnākara approves of Samantaraśmi’s venture to the Sahā universe < [Chapter XV - The Arrival of the Bodhisattvas of the Ten Directions]
Part 1 - The Buddha is omniscient, independent, without a teacher < [Chapter III - General Explanation of Evam Maya Śruta]