The Analysis of Atakkāvacara Dhamma in the Buddha’s Enlightenment

Abstract

The enlightenment of the Buddha was a pivotal event that led to the dissemination of the Dhamma, the teachings of Buddhism. After attaining enlightenment, the Buddha contemplated the truth he had realized, particularly the Four Noble Truths and Dependent Origination, which explain the arising and cessation of suffering. Although these teachings are profound and difficult to comprehend, out of his great compassion, the Buddha resolved to share them with those who possessed the wisdom to understand and attain them. Dependent Origination and Nibbāna are considered atakkāvacara dhamma, meaning they cannot be fully grasped through mere logic or common reasoning. Instead, they require insight developed through the practice of meditation and Vipassanā. The Buddha emphasized that understanding these teachings is not a matter of intellectual reasoning but a realization achieved through direct insight. Nevertheless, Dependent Origination can also be examined in daily life as a means to reduce attachment and wrong views.This article presents an analysis of the Dhamma realized by the Buddha through the lens of Pāli grammar and epistemological theory, highlighting that the term "Dhamma" as used by the Buddha encompasses both Dependent Origination and Nibbāna. Such an approach to studying the Dhamma allows for a more accurate and comprehensive understanding of the profound meaning of the Buddha’s words.