Dharmamudrā

Dharmamudrā (Sanskrit, Chinese: 法印) is a Buddhist term translated as "the seal of the dharma" or "the distinguishing mark of the dharma". It can be construed as the objective qualities of all phenomena (a related term is the three marks of existence), but is generally interpreted as the "seal" or "mark" that distinguish the Buddhist teachings from non-Buddhist ones.^[1] Dharmamudrā also provides doctrinal insight that distinguishes the definitive teachings of Buddhism from the provisional teachings.

Types of Dharmamudrā

One general type is called Trilakṣaṇā dharmamudrā (Sanskrit; Chinese: 三法印), or the three marks:

• Impermanence: All compounded things are characterized by impermanence.
• Non-self: All existing things are characterized by the lack of a self.
• Nirvana: Nirvana is characterized by uncompounded quiescence.^[2]

In another typology, the third 'mark' is replaced by "all experiences are characterized by suffering" (Dhukha).^[3]

Another type is called caturmudrā (Sanskrit; Chinese: 四法印), or the four seals, which include "suffering" to the three seals or marks mentioned above.^[1]

There is also the five marks or seals, which refer to impermanence, non-self, nirvana, suffering and emptiness.^[4]

See also

• Three marks of existence
• Four Dharma Seals
• Anitya
• Anatta
• Nirvana
• Dhukha
• Sunyata

References

1. The Princeton dictionary of Buddhism. Buswell, Robert E., Jr., 1953-, Lopez, Donald S., Jr., 1952-, Ahn, Juhn. [Princeton]. 2017. ISBN 978-0-19-068115-9. OCLC 1003080564.
2. Nhất Hạnh, Thích (8 June 1999). The heart of the Buddha's teaching : transforming suffering into peace, joy & liberation : the four noble truths, the noble eightfold path, and other basic Buddhist teachings. Harmony/Rodale. ISBN 978-0-7679-0369-1. OCLC 933299324.
3. The long discourses of the Buddha : a translation of the Dīgha Nikāya. Translated by Walshe, Maurice O'C. (Maurice O'Connell). Wisdom Publications. 15 June 1995. ISBN 0-86171-103-3. OCLC 823345428.
4. The Vimalakirti Sutra. Translated by Watson, Burton. Motilal Banarsidass. 2008 [1999]. ISBN 978-81-208-1672-5. OCLC 880203589.