by Temujin

Three Universal Characteristics

Three characteristics apply to everything that exists, and these are Impermanence, Suffering and Impersonality.

According to the Buddha, nothing, whether internal or external, is permanent, but is like a flowing river, never the same from one moment to the next. Our flesh and bones will not exist forever, they will decompose sooner or later. In accordance with this, science states that even seemingly permanent features of the world will one day cease to be, such as the solar system.

Buddhists believe that comprehending the fact of impermanence will assist people both in human relationships/activities and in following the Noble Eightfold path (another tenet of Buddhism I may write about later).

As written last week, Suffering is the main principle behind the Four Noble Truths. Wherever there is impermanence, there is also suffering, and every thing has its allotted time before it expires. Old age, sickness and death, are all signs of both impermanence and suffering. Understanding that suffering is a universal characteristic allows people to face situations such as death or sickness with a calm mind, and encourages them to seek the solution to suffering.

Impersonality is the belief that there is no real, permanent personality/self. As, according to Buddhism, but the mind and the body are impermanent, neither is capable of harbouring a permanent self. To highlight this, Buddhists may consider the term 'I' to simply refer to a collection of physical and mental factors, rather than a unified 'self'. Believing the self to be both independent and permanent is what causes selfishness and arrogance. Individuals may become defensive of both their opinions and material possessions at any cost. By ceasing to cling to these personal possessions, an individual finds it easier to grow and learn.

Realising the Three Universal Characteristics enables Suffering to be overcome by freeing the mind of the delusions of permanence, pleasure and self.