Dharmalakshana, Dharmalakṣaṇa, Dharma-lakshana: 7 definitions
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 SastraDharmalakṣaṇa (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 GaganagañjaparipṛcchāDharmalakṣaṇa (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? [...]’”.
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 ReflectionsDharmalakṣaṇa (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.
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 dictionaryDharmalakṣaṇa (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 DictionaryDharmalakṣaṇa (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 DictionaryDharmalakṣaṇa (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 DictionaryDharmalakṣaṇa (धर्मलक्षण):—[dharma-lakṣaṇa] (ṇaṃ) 1. n. Essential sign or ingredient of virtue, or law.
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: Lakshana, Tarma, Dharma.
Full-text (+12): Yogacara, Rajadharmalakshana, Gui Ji, Dharmalaksana School, Dashalakshanaka, Lakshana, Sthulajnana, Dharmalinga, Ekartha, Nirgama, Vimukti, Nanartha, Shruti, Agama, Parapaksha, Duhkhakshaya, Tathagata, Nishprapanca, Sukshmajnana, Eka.
Relevant text
Search found 16 books and stories containing Dharmalakshana, Dharma-lakṣaṇa, Dharma-laksana, Dharma-lakshana, Dharmalakṣaṇa, Dharmalaksana; (plurals include: Dharmalakshanas, lakṣaṇas, laksanas, lakshanas, Dharmalakṣaṇas, Dharmalaksanas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
A Descriptive Catalogue of the Sanskrit Manuscripts, Madras (by M. Seshagiri Sastri)
Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)
Buddhas of the present: Preliminary note (3) < [Part 7 - Seeing, hearing and understanding all the Buddhas of the present]
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]
Notices of Sanskrit Manuscripts (by Rajendralala Mitra)
The 6th Patriarch Platform Sutra (by A. F. Price)
Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi (by Ganganatha Jha)
Verse 6.92 < [Section VIII - The Renouncer of the Veda (vedasaṃnyāsika)]
Verse 2.12 < [Section III - Sources of Knowledge of Dharma]
Mahayana Buddhism and Early Advaita Vedanta (Study) (by Asokan N.)