The three marks of existence

The Three Marks of Existence

•Anicca – impermanence
•Anatta – No self
•Dukkha - suffering

Buddhism teaches that there are three characteristics that are fundamental to all things. These are:
1. Suffering – dukkha
2. Impermanence – anicca
3. Having no permanent self – anatta
For Buddhists, understanding these three as part of life is important for achieving enlightenment.

ANICCA – Impermanence

(in Theravada Buddhism) the belief that all things, including the self, are impermanent and constantly changing.

It is he cycle of birth, growth, decay, and death through which every living thing must pass.

Some things, like waves in the sea, are constantly changing before us.

Then if we think of our own bodies, change is constant. Nearly every cell in our body dies out and is replaced every few years.

ANATTA – Not Self (Soul)

Anatta means there is no ever-lasting thing or factor in our body or mind that we can call our personal self.

Just as what we call a chariot is made up of wheels, a chassis and hood, our body is a compilation of the head, body, arms and legs and internal organs. If taken apart, there is nothing we can call ‘the chariot’ or ‘me’ there.

Similarly, the ‘self’ is not even the mind. Our mind is an ever-changing flux of thoughts and emotions. There is nothing called a permanent self within us and a ‘me’ or a ‘mine’ should bring down barriers between ‘ourselves’ and ‘others’..

DUKKHA - suffering

Dukkha is the idea that all life involves suffering. Dukkha also means suffering, pain, sorrow, misery and is the First Noble Truth.

Dukkha also includes ideas such as unsatisfactoriness, dissatisfaction, frustration, separation, and emptiness.

Dukkha affects our body and mind. The body is affected by old age, sickness and death, while the mind is affected by such factors as separation from things and persons one likes, not getting things one desires, being in unpleasant circumstances, etc.