Four Dharma Seals

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Four Dharma Seals are the four characteristics which reflect some Buddhist teaching . [1] [2] It is said that if a teaching contains the Four Dharma Seals then it can be considered Buddha Dharma. [3] This is despite the fact that some believe that the Dharma Seals were all introduced after Gautama Buddha died. [4]

Contents


The Four Seals

The Four Seals can be variously translated as follows:

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As suffering is not an inherent aspect of existence [4] sometimes the second seal is omitted to make Three Dharma Seals. [7] However, when the second seal is taken to refer to existence contaminated by or influenced by the mental afflictions of ignorance, attachment, and anger and their conditioning actions (karma), this omission is not necessary.

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 Khyentse Rinpoche, Dzongsar (March 1, 2000). "Buddhism in a Nutshell: The Four Seals of Dharma". Lion's Roar . Retrieved April 3, 2013.
  2. "The Four Seals of the Dharma". About.com. Archived from the original on March 30, 2015. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
  3. Okumura, Shōhaku (2010). Realizing Genjokoan: The Key to Dogen's Shobogenzo. Simon & Schuster. p. 25. ISBN   9780861716012.
  4. 1 2 Nhất Hạnh, Thích (1998). 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. Broadway Books. p. 141. ISBN   9780767903691.
  5. Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso (2012). Mind in Comfort and Ease. New York: Wisdom Publications. p. 119. ISBN   9780861717101.
  6. May, Will. "The Four Seals". www.bootl.org. BOOTL. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  7. Yun, Hsing (2008). The Core Teachings. Buddha's Light Publishing. p. 49. ISBN   9781932293326.