In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

Dharmālambana (धर्मालम्बन) refers to “that [loving-kindness] which has things as object” and represents of the three types of Maitrī (“loving-kindness”), according to the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra chapter 32.—Accordingly, “there are those who practice a loving-kindness that has things as object (dharmālambana); these are the Arhats who have destroyed the impurities, the Pratyekabuddhas and the Buddhas. Having destroyed the concept of self and eliminated notions of identity and difference, these holy individuals consider only the objects of enjoyment (kāmaguṇa) continually coming from causes and conditions (hetupratyaya). When they think about beings with loving-kindness (maitrī), they think only of the emptiness (śūnya) coming continually from causes and conditions together. The ‘being’ is the five empty skandhas. When they think with loving-kindness, they are thinking about these five skandhas. But beings themselves ignore this emptiness of things (dharma-śūnyatā) and, with their whole heart, always want to find happiness (sukha). The holy individuals of whom we are speaking take pity on them and make them find happiness as they wish, but only from the conventional point of view. This is what is called loving-kindness having things as object (dharmālambana).

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.

General definition (in Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Dharma-samgraha

Dharmālambanā (धर्मालम्बना) refers to “grounded in dharma” and represents one of the three kinds of “great friendliness” (mahāmaitrī) as defined in the Dharma-saṃgraha (section 131). It can also be spelled as Dharmālambanā. The Dharma-samgraha (Dharmasangraha) is an extensive glossary of Buddhist technical terms in Sanskrit (e.g., dharmālambanā). The work is attributed to Nagarjuna who lived around the 2nd century A.D.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Full-text: Mahamaitri, Maitri.

Relevant text

Search found 1 books and stories containing Dharmalambana, Dharmālambanā, Dharmālambana; (plurals include: Dharmalambanas, Dharmālambanās, Dharmālambanas). 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)

V. Loving-kindness and Compassion are pure among the Buddhas < [Chapter XLII - The Great Loving-kindness and the Great Compassion of the Buddhas]

I. Definition of the immeasurables (apramāṇa) < [Class 3: The four immeasurables]

II. Aspects of the immeasurables (apramāṇa) < [Class 3: The four immeasurables]

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