Chapter 2 - Noble Attributes Of The Dhamma

The Dhamma is thus endowed with the following six special attributes:

1. (Svakkhato) The Dhamma is not speculative philosophy but is the Universal Law found through enlightenment and is preached precisely. Therefore, it is excellent in the beginning (Sila - Moral Principles), excellent in the middle (Samadhi - Concentration) and excellent in the end (Panna. - Wisdom).
2. (Samditthiko) The Dhamma can be tested by practice and therefore he who follows it will reap the results through his own experience;
3. (AkalIiko) The Dhamma is able to bestow timeless and immediate results here and now, for which there is no need to wait till the future or next existence;
4. (Ehipassiko) The Dhamma welcomes all beings to put it to the test and see for themselves;
5. (Opaneyyiko) The Dhamma is capable of being entered upon and therefore it is worthy to be followed as a part of ones life;
6. (Paccattam veditabbo vinnuhi,) The Dhamma can be perfectly realized only by noble disciples (Ariyas) who have matured enough in supreme wisdom.

In the Dhamma, the Buddha enunciated many salient points but some points will be explained here.

"He who sees the Dhamma sees me. He who practices the Dhamma to the best of his ability, honours me best. One is ones own refuge who else could be the refuge?"

"By oneself evil is done, by oneself one suffers; by oneself evil is left undone, by oneself one is purified. Purity and impurity being dependent on ones ownself, no one can purify another."

"You should do your work, for the Buddhas only teach and show the way. You yourself should make an effort, the Buddhas are only Teachers."

"Be ye enlightened unto yourself, be ye a refuge unto yourself, be ye a refuge unto the Dhamma, there is no external refuge."

Here taking refuge in the Dhamma and oneself means to actually practise it accordingly. The Buddha said that the essence of the Dhamma lies in the practice of it. Throughout His life the Buddha always inspired His disciples to practise virtuous conduct (Sila), concentration (samadhi) and realize supreme wisdom (panna).

The ultimate goal in the Buddhism is the realization of the truth (sacca), through the actual practice of the Teaching. On the whole, in the Dhamma there can be found neither divine revelation nor divine messenger, neither reward nor punishment, neither fear nor prayer to the Almighty God, neither self mortification nor self indulgence, neither metaphysical way nor ritualistic way, neither pessimism nor optimism, neither skepticism nor dogmatism, neither eternalism nor nihilism. The Dhamma therefore, in a word, is a unique principle to be practised for the attainment of supreme wisdom (adhipanna and perfect Enlightenment, Nibbana. The Dhamma maintains that the final realization depends only upon the individual exertion of His followers and on no other factors. The Buddha shows us the path, but we ourselves must tread on the path. Even the last words which the Buddha uttered were "Vayadamma sankhara appamadena sampadetha". "The compounded things are transient, do ye be vigilantly mindful."