Dharmamudra, Dharmamudrā, Dharma-mudra: 4 definitions
Introduction:
Dharmamudra means something in Buddhism, Pali, 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.
In Hinduism
Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)
Source: archive.org: Isvara Samhita Vol 5Dharmamudrā (धर्ममुद्रा) or simply Dharma is the name of a mudrā described in the Īśvarasaṃhitā 50-53.—Accordingly, “the two hands are to be kept apart and then the index fingers are to be joined face to face; leaving this formation for the two middle fingers; the ring fingers shall be left out, this shall be done to the two little fingers. This shall be done to the two thumbs while forming each. These four mudrās are for dharma and others and adharma and others. The lotus that exists above them (dharma and others) was described before with mantras.”. Mūdra (eg., Dharmamudrā) is so called as it gives joy to the tattvas in the form of karman for those who offer spotless worship, drive out the defects which move about within and without and sealing up of what is done.
Pancaratra (पाञ्चरात्र, pāñcarātra) represents a tradition of Hinduism where Narayana is revered and worshipped. Closeley related to Vaishnavism, the Pancaratra literature includes various Agamas and tantras incorporating many Vaishnava philosophies.
In Buddhism
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita SastraDharmamudrā (धर्ममुद्रा) refers to the “seal of the Dharma” according to Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter XIV):
The person who thinks falls into Māra’s net,
The person who does not think finds escape (niḥsaraṇa).
Mental discursiveness is not the Path,
Non-discursiveness is the seal of the Dharma (dharmamudrā).
According to the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra chapter 36, utilizing the seals of the Dharma (dharmamudrā) of the Buddha, his penetration is unhindered in the same way that the holder of the royal seal (rājamudrā) is never delayed or restricted in his movements.
There are three kinds of seals of the Buddha’s Dharma:
- All conditioned dharmas (saṃskṛtadharma) arising and perishing from moment to moment are impermanent (anitya);
- All dharmas are without self (anātman);
- Peaceful is nirvāṇa (śāntaṃ nirvāṇam).
Dharmamudrā (धर्ममुद्रा) refers to a “Dharma-seal”, according to the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā: the eighth chapter of the Mahāsaṃnipāta (a collection of Mahāyāna Buddhist Sūtras).—Accordingly as The Lord said: “Śāriputra, the Tathāgata Ekaratnavyūha, seating in the lion’s throne thus, explained the dharma-seal called Gaganapariśuddhi to these Bodhisattvas, which has thirty-two aspects of entrance. What is this Dharma-seal (dharmamudrā) called Gaganapariśuddhi which has thirty-two aspects of entrance? [...] In this way, Śāriputra, the Tathāgata Ekaratnavyūha elucidated the Dharma-seal called Gaganapariśuddhi to the Bodhisattvas, which has thirty-two aspects of entrance. Having heard that, innumerable Bodhisattvas attained the mastery of all dharmas and tolerance (kṣānti) in pure consciousness obtained by supernormal knowledge (abhijñā)”
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.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit DictionaryDharmamudrā (धर्ममुद्रा).—‘seal’ of the doctrine: iya…°drā Saddharmapuṇḍarīka 92.13 (verse); also dharma-svabhāva-mudrā, ‘seal’ of the true nature of the doctrine: bhāṣiṣyate °drām Saddharmapuṇḍarīka 28.8 (verse); deśem’ imāṃ °drām 47.8 (verse). Tibetan renders literally, phyag rgya, and so Burnouf, le sceau; Kern, closing word of my law, fixed nature of the law, (unmistakable) stamp of the nature of the law; probably the last rendering comes close to what is meant.
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: Dharma, Mudra, Tarma.
Ends with: Adharmamudra, Sarvadharmamudra, Varadharmamudra.
Full-text (+23): Dharmasvabhavamudra, Sarvadharmamudra, Dharma, Gaganaparishuddhi, Upashanta, Mama, Svalakshana, Anabhasa, Vijnapti, Vijnana, Adrishya, Svabhavalakshana, Bhavabhava, Vijnaptilakshana, Vivekalakshana, Citta, Manas, Naya, Aninjita, Amama.
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Search found 4 books and stories containing Dharmamudra, Dharmamudrā, Dharma-mudra, Dharma-mudrā; (plurals include: Dharmamudras, Dharmamudrās, mudras, mudrās). 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)
Appendix 7 - The seals of the Dharma (dharmamudrā, dharma-mudrā) < [Chapter XXXVI - The eight recollections (anusmṛti or anussati)]
II. Synonymity of the three words < [Part 2 - Understanding dharmatā and its synonyms]
II.6. Dharma of unhindered penetration < [II. Recollection of the Dharma (dharmānusmṛti)]
Guhyagarbha Tantra (with Commentary) (by Gyurme Dorje)
Text 8.5-6 (Commentary) < [Chapter 8 (text and commentary)]
Text 8.3 (Commentary) < [Chapter 8 (text and commentary)]
Blue Annals (deb-ther sngon-po) (by George N. Roerich)
Chapter 8 - Later Lineages (vii): Sangs rgyas ras pa < [Book 12 - Peace-Making Lineages]
The Great Chariot (by Longchenpa)