Relationship and Comparison Between the Noble Path and Attainment of Dhamma

Abstract

This academic article aims to study the relationship and comparison between the Noble Path and the attainment of Dhamma, mainly studying from the Tripitaka. The results of the study found that the Noble Path is a path of practice consisting of 8 elements. It is a guideline discovered by the Lord Buddha to lead beings to escape from suffering. It is a path of practice leading to the attainment of Dhamma or the cessation of suffering, like a map that points the way to the desired destination. The Noble Path has 8 elements covering the body, speech, mind and wisdom. Practicing the Noble Path consistently and correctly will help develop the mind to be pure, able to eliminate defilements and desires, and lead to the attainment of Dhamma, which is a state in which the mind is free from all suffering, is peaceful, cool and completely free. The attainment of Dhamma is divided into steps according to the level of abandoning fetters, namely Sotapanna, Sakadagami, Anagami and Arahant, where Arahant is the person who has attained the highest level of Dhamma and can completely extinguish suffering. Those who attain Dhamma at the 4 levels, based on the criteria of abandoning fetters, are called “noble persons”. The Noble Path and the attainment of Dhamma are two things that cannot be separated. The Noble Path is the path, the attainment of Dhamma is the goal. Right practice of the Noble Path leads to the attainment of Dhamma, and the attainment of Dhamma is the result of practicing the Noble Path.