Dhamma is like a raft
The Buddha's teaching does not start off with any kind of theoretical dogmas or beliefs. It begins with a simple observations that human life is essentially problematic. These problems, difficulties, inadequacies the Buddha refers to as Dukkha, is usually translated as suffering. And the value of the Dhamma is pragmatic and instrumental.It offers to show us the way out of our problematic situations and the way to attain the true happiness.
The Buddha compares the Dhamma to a raft. We use a raft to get from one side of a river to the other, not to worship, enshrine or to put on our head and carry around with us wherever we go. In the same way, we use the Dhamma as our means to cross from our present state of bondage and suffering to the other shore, the state of absolute freedom, Nibbana.