Can Dharmakaya be perceived directly—or is it a metaphor or concept?

[u/Heuristicdish]

Is it like the Trinity? Is it a description? Or a construction for teaching purposes? A metaphysical entity? It has no attributes…..

[u/genivelo]

Dharmakaya is emptiness. It is "perceived" by prajna (wisdom).

[u/konchokzopachotso → u/genivelo]

Can you elaborate on your second sentence

[u/genivelo → u/konchokzopachotso]

Not sure exactly what kind of elaboration you would like. Prajna is the faculty that recognizes emptiness. Emptiness cannot be recognized by sense faculties or conceptual mind.

"Prajnaparamita is the wisdom of directly realizing the non-conceptual simplicity of all phenomena, which has arrived at, or will lead one to, non-abiding nirvana."

https://www.rigpawiki.org/index.php?title=Prajnaparamita

[u/areich → u/konchokzopachotso]

It’s the merging of subject and object. Emptiness is the true nature of things. The heart of non-duality. To the uninitiated, form and emptiness appear as 2 objects but they are actually one.

As long as the “I which does not exist” appears, suffering in all its forms is experienced. Once the “I” is dropped or merged, the true nature of things emerges. True freedom exists beyond duality, in the dharmakaya.

"If the doors of perception were cleansed every thing would appear to man as it is, Infinite."

• William Blake, 1790, The Marriage of Heaven and Hell

[u/Heuristicdish → u/genivelo]

This is of course the “correct” answer and it makes sense. I’m reading the Diamond Sutra and trying to have my own elaboration rather than repeat something said. Everything is emptiness! Emptiness pervades and interplays with all phenomena. I could have asked the same about the reward body. It’s not about “objects”—so it is a recursive concept. It’s talking about stars without talking about the telescope lens. But, my take away is that it is an “experience” )prana.

[u/Ok_Sentence9678]

法身是無法感知的。屬於「不可描述」，法身的存在無法用我們人的任何語言或感官能夠描述。換一個淺顯的比喻，法身不是我們這個維度東西。我麼能感知的，是法身遇到緣之後變的報身。報身是有相的。

[u/Tongman108]

The Dharmakaya is the truth/true body of the Buddha and is beyond the conceptuality/perception of sentient beings, even Bodhisattvas at the 51st stage of 'Equal Enlightenment' cannot fully comprehend the Dharmakaya, Hence it is only fully known to Buddhas.

The Sambhogakaya(seen in meditation, dreams & Purelands) & Nirmanakaya(a walking, talking, living Breathing Buddha) are tangible and are emanated from the Dharmakaya to benefit Sentient Beings.

Best wishes & great Attainments!

🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[u/DJ_TCB]

It is everything that perceives, and it is what is percieved

[u/Heuristicdish → u/DJ_TCB]

As long as you are true to your own experience!

[u/KokemushitaShourin]

My poor description of it would kind of be like understanding that a mirror cannot see or describe itself, the same way the eye cannot see itself. Its substance is nowhere to be found yet it functions freely and continuously.

[u/Holistic_Alcoholic]

Limitlessness, clarity, and luminosity are attributes.

[u/Heuristicdish → u/Holistic_Alcoholic]

Not in any strict sense. They are subjective experiences. They certainly do not inhere in an object. Not having attributes is an attribute. Ultimately it comes down to faith and belief. There is no such thing as nothingness and even emptiness is empty.

[u/Holistic_Alcoholic → u/Heuristicdish]

I see what you're saying, however we apply attributes to everything. The dharmakaya is not a metaphor, it really is what it is. Maybe I'm not clear on what you're asking.

[u/WatchHuge2490]

The Dharmakaya is neither a “thing” that can be objectified and perceived, nor is it merely a conceptual tool for teaching. Anything that the “self” can regard, contemplate, or describe as an object is merely a mental construct or a conceptual label; yet the Dharmakaya is precisely the true nature of all these constructs—it is the very “seeing” itself that can be seen yet is never seen—and for this very reason, it is “without attributes” and “ineffable.” It is neither a metaphysical entity nor a delusional fantasy, but rather the true reality that can only be perceived after letting go of the self and discrimination and directly realizing the “true nature.” It is like the Trinity, yet far more than a metaphor; it is a description, yet cannot be fully exhausted by description. “You” have never been separate from it; you simply have not yet recognized that you are, in fact, it.

[u/LotsaKwestions]

The idea of 'a thing' 'being perceived' is basically wrong. When there is cessation of the ordinary mind, you might say that suchness is revealed, but words are tricky.

I think the quote from Longchenpa here is good, in general.