Definition: Saddhamma is the Buddha's teaching in its genuine, liberating form. The term is used in contradistinction to asaddhamma (false dhamma) and saddhamma-paṭirūpaka (counterfeit dhamma). In the Dhammapada its absence is what makes samsara long for the bāla (Dhp 60), and its hearing is ranked among the highest blessings (Dhp 182).
Canonical usage
Dhp 38 (dhp38:2)
Saddhammaṁ avijānato, paññā na paripūrati.
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English (Sujato): For one who does not know the true teaching, wisdom does not mature.
Dhp 60 (dhp60:4)
Dīgho bālāna saṁsāro, saddhammaṁ avijānataṁ.
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English (Sujato): Transmigration is long for fools who don't understand the true teaching.
Dhp 182 (dhp182:3) (cited; not yet ingested)
Kicchaṁ saddhammassavanaṁ.
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English (Sujato): Rare is the chance to hear the true teaching.
Nuances and translation notes
- Sujato: "the true teaching"
- Buddharakkhita: "the Sublime Truth" / "the Dhamma"
- Bodhi: "the good Dhamma"
- Norman (PTS): "the good doctrine"
- de Zoysa (Sinhala): සද්ධම්ම — direct cognate
The sat- prefix does double duty: true (not counterfeit) and good (wholesome). English "true teaching" captures the first sense; "good Dhamma" captures the second. The Pali holds both together.
Related concepts
- dhamma — the base term; saddhamma is its authentic instance (pending)
- saddhammapatirupaka — the counterfeit teaching (pending)
- asaddhamma — false dhamma (pending)
- panna — wisdom; its maturation depends on saddhamma (Dhp 38)
Related pages
- dhammapada 05 balavagga — Dhp 60
- dhammapada 03 cittavagga — Dhp 38