The Meaning of Dhamma, no. 5.

The Saddaniti gives the same meanings of dhamma as stated in the
Atthasaalinii, but in addition it gives several more meanings of dhamma.
First:
<Dhammasaddo pariyatti-hetu-gu.na-nissatta-nijjiivata-adiisu dissati.
The word dhamma is explained as the scriptures, cause, merit, without a
being, without a soul, etc. >

The Saddaniti refers for the meaning of hetu, cause, to the analytical
knowledge of cause, dhammapa.tisambhidaa.
The Saddaniti then gives another list which has in addition several more
meanings of dhamma:

<Atha vaa dhammasaddo
And then the word dhamma is explained as follows:

sabhaava-pa~n~naa-pu~n~na-pa~n~natti-aapatti-pariyatti-
with its own specific nature, understanding, merit, concept, disciplinary
offense, scriptures,

nissatta-nijjiivataa-vikaara-gu.na paccaya-paccayuppanna-adiisu dissati.
without a being, without a living soul, alteration, merit, condition, what
is conditioned., etc. >

The Saddaniti gives a further explanation of the different meanings:

<Aya~nhi "kusalaa dhammaa akusalaa dhammaa abyaakataa dhammaa"ti-aadiisu
sabhaave dissati.

In the passage ³wholesome dhammas, unwholesome dhammas and indeterminate
dhammas², this is explained as: with its own specific nature (or
characteristic). >

N: In the Books of the Abhidhamma all realities are classified as threefold:
kusala, akusala and abyaakataa, or avyaakataa. Avyaakata means not declared,
not determined. They are not determined as kusala nor as akusala, they are
indeterminate.
Kusala dhammas are the kusala cittas with their accompanying cetasikas
(mental factors). Akusala dhammas are the akusala cittas with their
accompanying cetasikas. Indeterminate dhammas are: vipaakacittas (cittas
which are results of kamma) and their accompanying cetasikas. Kiriyacittas,
inoperative cittas, cittas which are neither cause (kusala or akusala) nor
result, with their accompanying cetasikas. Ruupa, physical phenomena and
nibbaana.
For example, in the First Book of the Abhidhamma, the Dhammasangani, Book
III, Part I, Ch 1, we read about this triple classification of all
realities.
They are all dhammas each with their own specific characteristic, sabhaava.

*****
Nina.