Dharmalakshana, Dharmalakṣaṇa, Dharma-lakshana: 7 definitions

Introduction
In Buddhism
1. Mahayana
In Jainism
1. General definition
Languages
1. Sanskrit
See also

Introduction:

Dharmalakshana means something in Buddhism, Pali, Jainism, Prakrit, 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.

The Sanskrit term Dharmalakṣaṇa can be transliterated into English as Dharmalaksana or Dharmalakshana, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

Dharmalakṣaṇa (धर्मलक्षण) refers to the “real nature”, according to the Arthavargitasūtra.—Accordingly, as the Buddha replied to Mākandika: “It is not by view (dṛṣṭi), tradition (śruti), knowledge (jñāna); Or morality (śīla) that it is attained. It is not by absence of view, tradition, etc., Nor by absence of morality that it is attained. It is by abandoning all this chatter, By also rejecting the ‘me’ and the ‘mine’ (ātmātmīya), By not grasping any real nature (dharmalakṣaṇa), That the Path can be attained. [...]”.

Source: academia.edu: A Study and Translation of the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā

Dharmalakṣaṇa (धर्मलक्षण) refers to the “characteristics (and nature) of (all) dharmas”, according to the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā: the eighth chapter of the Mahāsaṃnipāta (a collection of Mahāyāna Buddhist Sūtras).—Accordingly, “[...] Then, the bodhisatva, the great being, Gaganagañja addressed himself to the Lord: [...] (17-20) [How do Bodhisattvas] obtain the treasury of the dharma jewel of the Awakened Lords, attain the characteristics and nature of all dharmas (sarva-dharmalakṣaṇa-svabhāva) which are understood by the Tathāgatas, how do they mature all living beings by their primal purity, and apply himself to the attainment of all qualities of the Buddha? [...]’”.

context information

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.

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: The University of Sydney: A study of the Twelve Reflections

Dharmalakṣaṇa (धर्मलक्षण) refers to the “characteristic of the doctrine”, according to the 11th century Jñānārṇava, a treatise on Jain Yoga in roughly 2200 Sanskrit verses composed by Śubhacandra.—Accordingly, “[com.—Next he speaks about the characteristic of the doctrine (dharmalakṣaṇam)]—Anything which is undesirable for oneself is not to be done to others by the actions of [body,] speech and mind, even in a dream—such is the principal characteristic of the doctrine”.

Synonyms: Dharmaliṅga.

context information

Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Dharmalakṣaṇa (धर्मलक्षण).—

1) the essential mark of law.

2) the Vedas.

-ṇā the Mīmāṃsā philosophy.

Derivable forms: dharmalakṣaṇam (धर्मलक्षणम्).

Dharmalakṣaṇa is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms dharma and lakṣaṇa (लक्षण).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Dharmalakṣaṇa (धर्मलक्षण).—n.

(-ṇaṃ) An essential ingredient in ethicks or law, (as place, time, &c.) E. dharma, and lakṣaṇa mark. dharmo lakṣyate jñāyate anena lakṣa-karaṇe lyuṭ .

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Dharmalakṣaṇa (धर्मलक्षण):—[=dharma-lakṣaṇa] [from dharma > dhara] n. an essential mark of l° or ethics (as place, time etc.), [ib.]

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Dharmalakṣaṇa (धर्मलक्षण):—[dharma-lakṣaṇa] (ṇaṃ) 1. n. Essential sign or ingredient of virtue, or law.

context information

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.

Relevant text

Search found 11 books and stories containing Dharmalakshana, Dharmalakṣaṇa, Dharma-lakshana, Dharma-lakṣaṇa, Dharmalaksana, Dharma-laksana; (plurals include: Dharmalakshanas, Dharmalakṣaṇas, lakshanas, lakṣaṇas, Dharmalaksanas, laksanas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Chapter 4.4 - Reality in Madhyamika (d): Rupa and Tathata

Chapter 4.1 - Reality in Madhyamika Philosophy (Introduction)

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Bodhisattva quality 3: the equalities (samatā) and the patiences (kṣānti) < [Chapter X - The Qualities of the Bodhisattvas]

Part 2 - Why is the Buddha called Tathāgata < [Chapter IV - Explanation of the Word Bhagavat]

Buddhas of the present: Preliminary note (3) < [Part 7 - Seeing, hearing and understanding all the Buddhas of the present]

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Chapter IV - Samadhi and Prajna

Chapter X - His Final Instructions

Chapter VI - On Repentance

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Verse 6.92 < [Section VIII - The Renouncer of the Veda (vedasaṃnyāsika)]