The Sanskrit term Dharmaśaraṇa can be transliterated into English as Dharmasarana or Dharmasharana, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

Dharmaśaraṇa (धर्मशरण) refers to the “refuge of the Dharma”, according to Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter 3).—Accordingly, “The Buddha said to Ānanda: ‘Henceforth after my departure, you yourself will be your own refuge (ātmaśaraṇa), the Dharma will be your refuge (dharmaśaraṇa), and you will have no other refuge (ananyaśaraṇa). How, O Bhikṣu, will you be your own refuge, how will the Dharma be your refuge, and how will you have no other refuge? The Bhikṣu considers his own body; he always dedicates to it his full attention (ekacitta), his wisdom (prajñā), his zeal (prayatna), his energy (vīrya) and he rejects the worldly desires and resulting dissatisfactions. In the same way, he considers the body of another, then his own body and that of another at the same time. [...]’.”.

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: academia.edu: Tessitori Collection I

Dharmaśaraṇa (धर्मशरण) refers to one of the topics dealt with in the Sadbhāṣitāvalī by Sakalakīrti (classified as gnomic literature), which is included in the collection of manuscripts at the ‘Vincenzo Joppi’ library, collected by Luigi Pio Tessitori during his visit to Rajasthan between 1914 and 1919.—In the Udine manuscript verses are marked by exhortations in imperative which are sometimes emphasized with orange pigment: [e.g., dharmaśaraṇa—dharmaśaraṇaṃ kuru (6r6)]

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.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Sharana, Dharma, Tarma.

Ends with: Adharmasharana.

Full-text: Ananyasharana, Atmasharana, Prayatna.

Relevant text

Search found 1 books and stories containing Dharmasharana, Dharmaśaraṇa, Dharma-śaraṇa, Dharma-sharana, Dharmasarana, Dharma-sarana; (plurals include: Dharmasharanas, Dharmaśaraṇas, śaraṇas, sharanas, Dharmasaranas, saranas). 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)

Part 1 - The Buddha is omniscient, independent, without a teacher < [Chapter III - General Explanation of Evam Maya Śruta]

show preview