Dharmakirti, Dharmakīrti: 14 definitions
Introduction:
Dharmakirti means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, the history of ancient India. 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.
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In Buddhism
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Dharmakīrti (धर्मकीर्ति) refers to one of the “Six Ornaments of Jambudvīpa” (in Tibetan: 'dzam gling mdzes par byed pa'i rgyan drug) according to Khenpo Chöga’s oral explanations of Khenpo Kunpal’s commentary on Śāntideva’s Bodhisattvacaryāvatāra.—The six adornments of Jambudvīpa, also known as “the six adornments that beautify Jambudvīpa”, are in three pairs. The third pair, the “adornments of valid cognition” [tshad ma'i rgyan], are Dignāga and Dharmakīrti. Āryadeva, Vasubandhu, and Dharmakīrti are similarly grouped as the “three commentators” on the writings of the three former masters, Nāgārjuna, Asaṅga, and Dignāga.
Dharmakīrti (धर्मकीर्ति) (=Dharmakīrtiśrī) was a renowned 10th century Buddhist teacher of a number of important late Mahāyāna Buddhist thinkers, including Ratnākaraśānti (fl. c. 970–1045), Atiśa, Jñānaśrīmitra and Ratnakīrti (both fl. late 10–early 11th c.). Dharmakīrtiśrī is the author of the Durbodhālokā, a sub-commentary to the Abhisamayālaṃkāraśāstra-vṛtti of Haribhadra. [...]
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.
General definition (in Buddhism)
Dharmakīrti (ca. 7th century) also known as Serlingpa Dharmakīrti or Suvarnadvipi Dharmakīrti, was a Buddhist scholar of Srivijayan origin, Suvarnadvipa (Sumatra). He was one of the Buddhist founders of Indian philosophical logic. He was one of the primary theorists of Buddhist atomism, according to which the only items considered to exist are momentary states of consciousness.
His work: The Seven Treatises on Valid Cognition:
- Saṃbandhaparikṣāvrtti (Analysis of Relations)
- Pramāṇaviniścaya (Ascertainment of Valid Cognition)
- Pramāṇavārttikakārika (Commentary on Dignaga's 'Compendium of Valid Cognition')
- Nyāyabinduprakaraṇa (Drop of Reasoning)
- Hetubindunāmaprakaraṇa (Drop of Reasons)
- Saṃtānāntarasiddhināmaprakaraṇa (Proof of Others' Continuums)
- Vādanyāyanāmaprakaraṇa (Reasoning for Debate)
Dharmakirti (7th Century) was born to a bramhin family in the South of India. After receiving a bramhanical education, he later became interested in the Buddhist teachings. He then travelled to Nalanda in order to receive teachings from a direct disciple of Vasubandhu. Dharmapāla was still living—Dharmakirti received ordination from him—but Dignaga had passed away. Instead he received instruction from Ishvarasena, who was Dignaga's direct disciple. Having entirely comprehended Dignaga's oeuvre, he became perhaps the greatest master of pramana and went on to compose the 'Seven Treatises on Valid Cognition'.
Dharmakirti (Skt. Dharmakīrti; Tib. ཆོས་ཀྱི་གྲགས་པ་, Chökyi Drakpa; Wyl. chos kyi grags pa)
Dharmakirti (610-520 BCE) was born in the kingdom of Chudamani in the South. He was the disciple of Dharmapala according to Tibetan sources. The same Tibetan sources also tell us that Dharmakirti was the contemporary of Tibetan King Srong-btan-gampo who married a Chinese princess Kong-Cho who came to Tibet. Dharmakirti was the nephew of Kumarila Bhatta I (618-540 BCE). During the time of Dharmakirti, Adi Sankara (569-537 BCE) defeated Buddhists in the debate.
India history and geography
Dharmakīrti (धर्मकीर्ति) refers to the Tunche-bahal—one of the various Bahals (“monasteries” = Vihāras) found in the area of Old Kathmandu, situated in the Nepal Mandala (lit. “circle or country of Nepal”), the ancient name for the Kathmandu Valley. A Bahal is a type of ‘sacred monastery’ or ‘courtyard’ constructed according to traditional Newari Architecture and hence found primarily in Nepal amongst Newar communities. These buildings play a big role in maintaining the norms of their society and lifestyle. There is a common list of eighteen major such Temples (bahals) found in Old Kathmandu. For example Tunche-bahal, which is also known by its Sanskrit name Tutaṣrama or Dharmakīrti-vihāra.
Dharmakīrti can also refer to other Bahals (Monasteries), for example: (1) Tah-bahal which is known in Sanskrit as Bhuvanākaravarmā-saṃskārita-dharmakīrti-mahāvihāra; (2) Dharmakirti-bahal; (3) Bhelaku-bahal; (4) Dhandeau-bahal.
Dharmakīrti (धर्मकीर्ति) refers to the Yaka-baha—one of the various Bāhās (i.e., a sacred courtyard in the Newari community where Buddhist priests reside) situated in Patan.—The valley of Kathmandu is known as “Nepal Mandala”, encircling the three cities of Kathmandu (northwest), Patan (Lalitpur) (south) and Bhaktapur (east). The Vihāras, Bāhās and Bahīs were, and still are, the centre for Buddhist activities and also dwelling place of the monks or monastics. For example, the Yaka-baha, which is known in Sanskrit as Dharmakīrti-vihāra. These monstaries, courtyards and other buildings possess a central place in Buddhism and were mostly situated within the vicinity of these three cities.
Dharmakīrti can also refer to other Bāhās, for example:
(a) Wambaha-dunenani (waṃ-bāhā-dune-nanī) known in Sanskrit as Dharmakīrtivihāra;
(b) Ta-baha, known in Sanskrit as Bhuvanākaravarma-saṃskārita-dharmakīrti-mahāvihāra
(c) Harsa-baha.
(d) Jamo-bahal (Sanskrit: Dharmakīrtivihāra) situated in Jamal, Kathmandu.
Dharmakīrti (धर्मकीर्ति) is the name of a Poet mentioned in the 13th century Saduktikarṇāmrita by Śrīdhara Dāsa (son of Vaṭu Dāsa) who was a chief over several districts (called a mahāmaṇḍalika).—The Sadukti-Karnamrita is a collection of miscellaneous verses by different authors and on various subjects, five verses being devoted to each subject. There are 446 poets identified (for example, Dharmakīrti) some of which in the feminine gender (intended for females) while others are of Buddhist monks etc.
The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Dharmakīrti (धर्मकीर्ति).—(compare Pali Dhammakitti), name of a teacher: Mahāvyutpatti 3483.
1) Dharmakīrti (धर्मकीर्ति) as mentioned in Aufrecht’s Catalogus Catalogorum:—a Buddhist, wrote a Bauddhasaṃgati alamk. which is quoted in the Vasavadattā p. 235. As a philosopher he is mentioned in Khaṇḍanakhaṇḍakhādya and in Sarvadarśanasaṃgraha (Bauddhadarśana) Oxf. 247^a. Verses of his are given in Śp. p. 41, [Sūktikarṇāmṛta by Śrīdharadāsa] [Subhāshitāvali by Vallabhadeva], in Dhvanyālokalocana, Kṣemendra in Aucityavicāracarcā 11. See Ind. Stud. Xvi, 205.
2) Dharmakīrti (धर्मकीर्ति):—Dhātupratyayapañjikā [grammatical] Dhātumañjarī. Lgr. 34.
1) Dharmakīrti (धर्मकीर्ति):—[=dharma-kīrti] [from dharma > dhara] m. ‘glory of the l°’, Name of a philosopher and poet, [Catalogue(s)]
2) [v.s. ...] of a grammarian, [ib.]
3) [v.s. ...] of a king, [Purāṇa]
4) [v.s. ...] Name of a teacher, [Buddhist literature]
Dharmakīrti (धर्मकीर्ति):—(dharma + kī) m. Nomen proprium eines Dichters Verz. der Oxf. H. 124,a. eines Logikers [Lebensbeschreibung Śākyamuni’s 310 (80).] Bull. hist. phil. [?IV, 287. WASSILYEW 53 u.s.w. Vyutpatti oder Mahāvyutpatti 90.]
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Dharmakīrti (धर्मकीर्ति):—Nomen proprium [Oxforder Handschriften 10,b,18.] [SARVADARŚANAS. 15,17.]
Dharmakīrti (धर्मकीर्ति):—m. Nomen proprium verschiedener Manner.
Dharmakīrti (in Sanskrit) can be associated with the following Chinese terms:
1) 法秤 [fǎ chèng]: “Dharmakīrti” [Sanskrit personal name].
2) 法稱 [fǎ chēng]: “Facheng” [Chinese personal name]; Alternatively: “Dharmakīrti” [Sanskrit personal name]; Alternatively: “Chos grags”; “Chos kyi grags pa” [Tibetan personal name].
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 (+0): Kirti, Dharma, Dharma, Dharma.
Starts with (+0): Dharmakirti-bahal, Dharmakirti-bahal, Dharmakirtimahavihara, Dharmakirtimahavihara, Dharmakirtishri, Dharmakirtivihara, Dharmakirtivihara.
Full-text (+115): Dharmakirti-bahal, Dharmottariya, Dharmakirtimahavihara, Prasannapada, Dharmakirtivihara, Dhatupratyayapanjika, Dharmakirtishri, Harsha, Dignaga, Fa cheng, 'dzam gling rgyan drug, Vasubandhu, Six ornaments, Harsa-bahal, Bhelaku, Shabdikabharana, Bhelaku-bahal, Karnakagomin, Ishvarasena, Aggasadisa.
Relevant text
Search found 75 books and stories containing Dharmakirti, Dharma-kirti, Dharma-kīrti, Dharmakīrti; (plurals include: Dharmakirtis, kirtis, kīrtis, Dharmakīrtis). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Reverberations of Dharmakirti’s Philosophy (by Birgit Kellner)
Closing a Gap in the Interpretation of Dharmakīrti’s Logic
On the Determination of Causation by Dharmakīrti
Two Kinds of Causal Capacity: Sāmānyā śaktiḥ and Pratiniyatā śaktiḥ
A Descriptive Catalogue of the Sanskrit Manuscripts, Madras (by M. Seshagiri Sastri)
A comparative study between Buddhism and Nyaya (by Roberta Pamio)
Review of Literature < [Introduction]
5.3. Dharmakīrti’s Definition of Perception < [Chapter 3 - The Buddhist Theory of Perception]
4. Ācārya Dharmakīrti and His Works < [Chapter 3 - The Buddhist Theory of Perception]
Sambandha as a ‘Śakti-of-Śaktis’ < [Volume 14, Issue 7 (2023)]
From Nescience to Science: Buddhist Reflections on Human/Nature < [Volume 15, Issue 7 (2024)]
Being Is Relating: Continuity-in-Change in the Sambandhasiddhi of Utpaladeva < [Volume 14, Issue 1 (2023)]
Nirvikalpaka Pratyaksha (study) (by Sujit Roy)
Chapter 4 - Nirvikalpaka pratyakṣa in Buddhist Philosophy
Shringara-manjari Katha (translation and notes) (by Kumari Kalpalata K. Munshi)
Section 3 - yatraputraka-bhanitam dharadhisa-bhojadeva-varnanam < [Sanskrit text]
Part 4 - A critical appreciation of the Shringara-manjari-katha Belongs < [Introduction to the Shringaramanjari-katha of Shri Bhojadeva]
shringaramanjari-katha-antargata-visheshanama-anukramanika < [Sanskrit text]