A Study On The Definitions And Interpretations Of Dharma

Based on the records about the definitions and interpretations of Dharma in Chinese translation and Chinese Buddhist literature,this paper sorts out the process from the earliest definition of Dharma to the form of two-meanings(轨持).The relationship between various definitions and interpretations will also be discussed.This study proves that持(hold)is the universal and recognized meaning of dharma,which originates from its root.And in the early period,the second-meaning is mainly expressed as为他作缘(pratyaya),which shows the beneficial function for the birth and survival for other dharmas,should also be a specific explanation of持.Then the second-meaning is further specified as alambana-pratyaya,and the expression is mainly changed into轨生物解,which means that dharma can give rise to the mind and generate cognition about it.With the advocation of Xuanzang and his disciples(mainly Kuiji),this definition and interpretation became the common sense from Tang Dynasty to modern times.This paper also discusses many variants and interpretations of the two-meanings in comments written in chinese,which are related to the interpretation of Xuanzang while mixed with a variety of knowledge backgrounds.Through the analysis of these records,we can see the complex image of the acceptance and interpretations of the two-meanings of dharma.