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Buddhism: Religious Concepts and Religious Life

The three marks of existence

  • 3 things to know
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Overview

Three marks of existence, chariot simile in the Questions of King Milinda and five aggregates.

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Key term

Name the three marks of existence and explain the first two.

Key term

What are the three marks of existence?

Key term

What does dukkha mean?

Questions from this subtopic

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  1. 1

    What are the three marks of existence?

    Model answer

    The three marks, in Pāli the tilakkhaṇa, are dukkha, anicca and anattā. Every conditioned thing carries all three.

  2. 2

    What does dukkha mean?

    Model answer

    Dukkha is usually translated as suffering, though unsatisfactoriness is closer. The word covers physical pain, emotional distress and the inability of anything to give lasting contentment.

  3. 3

    What does anicca mean?

    Model answer

    Anicca is impermanence, the fact that everything conditioned arises and passes away. Mountains, bodies and thoughts all change, though at very different rates.

  4. 4

    What does anattā mean?

    Model answer

    Anattā means no-self or insubstantiality, the denial of any permanent, independent self. A person contains no unchanging owner or controller.

  5. 5

    Which discourse contains the Buddha's first teaching?

    Model answer

    The Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta is the first discourse, given in the Deer Park at Sarnath. Five former companions heard it, and Koṇḍañña gained insight as it was spoken.

  6. 6

    What does the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta say about dukkha?

    Model answer

    The sutta names birth, ageing, sickness, death, union with the disliked and separation from the loved as dukkha. The list ends with not getting what one wants and with the five aggregates of clinging.

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