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Buddhism: Beliefs and Teachings

The Three Marks of Existence

  • 3 things to know
  • Component Group 1

Overview

Dukkha as a mark, anicca and anatta and how they link, the Nandakovada Sutta and its oil lamp simile, facing loss, rebirth without a soul, and Dhammapada 277–279.

What you need to know

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Key term

What are the Three Marks of Existence?

Key term

Why is dukkha counted as a mark of existence?

Key term

What does anicca mean?

Questions from this subtopic

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  1. 1

    What are the Three Marks of Existence?

    Model answer

    The Three Marks of Existence are dukkha, anicca and anatta. The Buddha taught that they are true of all conditioned things.

  2. 2

    Why is dukkha counted as a mark of existence?

    Model answer

    Everything conditioned is unable to give lasting satisfaction. Even pleasant experiences are dukkha because they end.

  3. 3

    What does anicca mean?

    Model answer

    Anicca (Sanskrit anitya) means impermanence. Everything is constantly changing, and nothing lasts for ever.

  4. 4

    What does anatta mean?

    Model answer

    Anatta (Sanskrit anatman) means no fixed self or soul. A person has no unchanging essence that passes from life to life.

  5. 5

    How is anatta linked to anicca?

    Model answer

    A person is made of parts that are always changing. A permanent self cannot be found among impermanent parts.

  6. 6

    How does the Nandakovada Sutta teach impermanence?

    Model answer

    The monk Nandaka teaches a group of nuns that the senses and their objects are impermanent. The nuns agree that what is impermanent cannot be their self.

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