Developments in Buddhist Thought - Three Marks of Existence

The Three Marks of Existence 

Anicca - impermanence 

Dukka - suffering/dissatisfaction 

Anatta - the notion of no self 

In Buddhism, the Three Marks of Existence (TME) are all interlinked and interdependent of one another. Samsaric existence is frustrating because we experience not only suffering, but pleasures which are impermanent and insubstantial. We, the experiencers of pleasure, are also ourselves impermanent and insubstantial. It is our consistent failure to take this into account which makes us unenlightened. 

Recognition of the TME, like awareness of the Four Noble Truths, is a part of wisdom. To gain wisdom, we have to fully realise the reality of these characteristics. 

Anicca

Buddhism is central to the idea that nothing is permanent since everything is contingent and therefore an active element of a conditioned experience. 

It's important to know that everything in this world that we live in is subject to anicca. The waves in the ocean are constantly changing, a sandwich left in the open air for a week will disintergrate into a mouldy mass. Even something we think of as relatively safe and stable, such as our homes, will eventually detoriorate over time. 

Even the least changeable material in the world - a diamond, can be cut be a skilled person and will eventually wear away, even if it takes millions of years. 

Even our bodies change through the things we eat, the exercise we do (or don't do), ageing processes and the replacement of cells continually. 

The mind is also contingent. The Buddha said we should not think of the mind as as permanent as the body, since the body has some element of stability whereas, through samsara, we are continually entering different mind states. 

Acceptance of Anicca 

It may be relatively easy to accept anicca on a more general level, however, it can be much harder when we take decisions in our lives and subject them to the impermanence of all things, such as choosing who we marry, or choosing whether we should have a baby. Impermanence can be useful in helping us modify our decisions and help us put things into perspective. 

Anicca can be difficult to accept because many of us like to hold onto things (this represents tanha/craving). We say things like ''this is mine you can't take it''. This is why Buddhist monks have very few possessions and live to be content with the simplicity of their lives. 

Gross change 

Death is the main gross change we are able to recognise alongside others such as climate change and the development of the seasons. Bereavement is another effectc of impermanence which is very difficult for many of us to adjust to. 

Subtle change 

A parent may be acutely aware of the fact that their children are growing up but it is still often difficult for them to adjust to this fact emotionally. 

Anicca and Dukkha 

Impermanence forms an important concept of dukkha, because things changing is directly painful or things that we enjoy come to an end. Impermanence may…