Dharmadhatu

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In Mahayana Buddhism, dharmadhātu (chos kyi dbyings) means "realm of phenomena," where emptiness and dependent co-arising are one.

The Trimondis (2003) define dharmadhātu as "the absolute reality experienced in enlightenment". In the glossary to The Lotus-Born, dharmadhātu is defined as: "The ‘realm of phenomena;’ the suchness in which emptiness and dependent origination are inseparable. The nature of mind and phenomena which lies beyond arising, dwelling and ceasing." On the Friends of the Heart website dharmadhātu is defined as: "Literally, the root of dharma, i.e., emptiness."

Scott (1998) translates Nāgārjuna who links the dharmadhātu with nirvana:

The dharmadhatu is the ground
For buddhahood, nirvana, purity, and permanence

Therefore, dharmadhātu is the purified mind in its natural state, free of the obscuration rendered by dualism; as well as the essence-quality or nature of mind, indeed the fundamental ground of consciousness of the trikaya accessed via the mindstream.

Yutang Lin (2001) qualifies the dharma in dharmadhātu, it:

...refer[s] to spiritual states that transcend senses and consciousness, and are unspeakable or unimaginable. Under this meaning of "dharma" all dharmas are mutually dependent causes and conditions of their coexistence. Whatever the ordinary worldly view may be, in this sense of "dharma," all dharmas are equal as one of the dharmas and this equality transcends considerations of their differences in being real/unreal, superior/inferior, or abundant/deficient. In this sense of "dharma" the word "Dharmadhatu," literally "realm of dharmas," refers to the collection of all dharmas (Ch: fa chieh, fa jie). "Attaining Buddhahood" or "Attaining Dhammakaya" means having transcended all and any limitations that are due to artificial concepts, subconscious activities, desires and feelings, will and attachment, time and space, etc., and having regained the original state of Dharmadhatu in harmonious oneness.

To an entity that has realised their buddha-dhatu or essential buddha-nature, dharmadhātu is also referred to as the dharmakaya/dhammakaya, literally "body of dharmas," of that entity.

Yutang Lin (2001) affirms the nonlinear, wholistic essence-quality of dharmadhātu, unbounded by space and time:

According to the correct view of Dharmadhatu all dharmas in the past, all dharmas at present and all dharmas in the future are all together in the Dharmadhatu. Dharmadhatu is neither limited by space nor by time.

Dharmadhatu in the sense of a repository for Dharma may be equated in popular culture with the Akashic Records.

Scott (1998) translates Nāgārjuna praising dharmadhātu:

As butter, though inherent in the milk,
Is mixed with it and hence does not appear,
Just so the dharmadhatu is not seen
As long as it is mixed together with afflictions.

And just as the inherent butter essence
When the milk is purified is no more disguised,
When afflictions have been completely purified,
The dharmadhatu will be without any stain at all.

In this poem, "afflictions" may be understood as dukkha, illusionment (compare Maya) or the non-awareness of rigpa, the primordial and constitutional essence-quality.

Scott (1998) translates Nāgārjuna defining bodhicitta (or heartmind) as the medium through which dharmadhātu is perceived and realised:

Sentient beings’ essence free of substance
Is the sphere that is encountered on this plane.
Seeing this is the royal bodhicitta,
The dharmakaya free of every flaw.

Scott (1998) translates Nāgārjuna who established a relationship between the bhumi and dharmadhātu:

Just as the moon when it is new
Visibly grows larger bit by bit,
Those who have reached the bhumis
See the dharmakaya more and more.

It is one of the Five Wisdoms (dharmadhātu wisdom, mirror-like wisdom, equality wisdom, discriminating wisdom and all-accomplishing wisdom). It is the antidote to the poison of delusion. It is associated with Vairocana.

[edit] References

• Trimondi, Victor & Victoria (2003). The Shadow of the Dalai Lama: Glossary of some Tantric Terms. Source: http://www.trimondi.de/SDLE/Glossary.htm (accessed: January 17, 2007).
• Tsogyel, Yeshe, (terton: Nyang Ral Nyima Oser), Tsele Natsok Rangdrol, (Editor Marcia Binder Schmidt) (1990). The Lotus-Born: The life story of Padmasambhava. Rangjung Yeshe Publications. Source: http://www.rangjung.com/books/lotus-born_glossary.htm (accessed: January 17, 2007).
• Friends of the Heart website. Source: http://www.friendsoftheheart.com/meditation_resources/left/glossary.shtml (accessed: January 17, 2007).
• Yutang Lin (2001). Dharmadhatu. Source:Dharmadhatu http://www.angelfire.com/realm/bodhisattva/dharmadhatu.html#N1 (accessed: January 17, 2007).
• Scott, Jim (1998). In Praise of Dharmadhatu. (In cooperation with the Indian Khenpo, Krishna Pandita, it was translated (from Sanskrit to Tibetan) by Lotsawa Tsultrim Gyalwa. Based on teachings given by Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche, it has been translated from Tibetan into English by Jim Scott, April 1997, and edited by Ari Goldfield, September 1998.) Source: http://www.bodhicitta.net/In%20Praise%20of%20the%20Dharmadhatu.htm (accessed: January 17, 2007).