Dear Yong Peng,

OYP> this week, the word dhamma usually refers to the Buddha's teachings,
OYP> one of Tiratana - Triple Gems: Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha. For general
OYP> use, the word can means several things, including truth, doctrine and
OYP> nature.

"Dhamma" very often means "mental quality", for example in
"dhamma-vicaya", and in the fourth frame of reference (Satipatthana).

Yet so far few translators share such view:
http://www.buddhadust.org/backmatter/glossology/terms/dhamma.htm
http://www.buddhadust.org/backmatter/glossology/terms/dhamma_vicaya.htm

Personally I strongly prefer the translation "mental quality" over the "mental
state" which you use.

Greed, aversion, etc., are not just states. "State" refers to
"sleeping", "wakeful", "ill", "healthy", etc. Hindrances and factors
of Awakening are rather mental qualities.

Metta, Dimitry