The 3 Marks of Existence
• The 3 Marks of Existence outline the basic
Buddhist World View. Everything is
conditioned, impermanent, interdependent and
causes suffering.
• The key to Buddhists is to realize what the world
is really like and dismiss our false ideas and
ignorance about it.
What is the human condition?.
The 3 Marks of Existence
The 3 Marks of Existence are:
Dukkha – suffering
Anicca – impermanence
Anatta – no soul / self
What is the human condition?
Dukkha
According to Buddhists life is full of
suffering… it is part of the ‘system’. There
are three main types of suffering universal to
the human condition:
1. Ordinary suffering
2. Suffering because of change
3. Suffering due to conditioned existence
What is the human condition?
Dukkha - ordinary
• Physical and mental suffering e.g. illness
and depression
• Also suffering due to others’ suffering e.g.
images of starvation / famine / war
• Even happiness can ultimately lead to
sadness when it ends.
What is the human condition?
Dukkha - change
• We get attached to things, our
environment, ourselves, others etc.
• As a result of Anicca (impermanence) all
things are subject to change, even us
• Often these changes are out of our
control
What is the human condition?
Dukkha – Conditioned Existence
• Feeling of dissatisfaction in the background of
our life: insecurity, frustration, pointlessness,
powerlessness in the world we live in.
• Buddhists argue that we suffer because we lack
any kind of significant control over our life and
the world we live in (due to craving or Tanha).
What is the human condition?
Dukkha
This is not meant to be negative but rather
realistic.
According to Buddhists we are trapped in a
cycle of suffering and the first step to
freedom is acknowledgement of this.
What is the human condition?
Kisa Gotami and the Mustard Seed
What is the human condition?
Unenlightened human beings are caught in
a cycle of suffering but there is a way out.
Anicca
Impermanence: all things
are subject to change, no
exceptions.
In practice most people
believe that things do last
and remain permanent but
they do not e.g. weather,
geography, ageing, pen /
pencil, chair, bike, flame,
cherry tree.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gXObuLsQcw&f
eature=related
What is the human condition?
Anicca
Nothing is ultimately real
because everything is in a
constant state of change.
Anicca = constant change.
This is shunyata or
ultimate emptiness.
What is the human condition?
Anatta
As a result of anicca we experience
dukkha.
All things are affected by anicca.
Therefore there is no such thing as
permanence in a Buddhist worldview.
What is the human condition?
Anatta
‘Bike’ is just a concept we use to describe a
collection of things. If some parts are missing, it is
not ‘bike’. Also, often people disagree about what
really makes up ‘bike’… there is no clear definition
after scrutiny, even though we all use and accept
the term quite happily.
Not only this, all parts of ‘bike’ are in a state of
change (due to anicca)… rusting, wearing etc.
What is the human condition?
Anatta
If all things are impermanent,
we too must be impermanent.
If all things are just a concept,
we too are just a concept.
What is the human condition?
Anatta
In the same way as there is no ‘bike’, there is
no such thing as a permanent self or soul.
There is no about ‘you’ or ‘I’ which remains
constant or the same.
Permanent self is an illusion.
What is the human condition?
The Human Condition as
described by the Buddha
• Behold this painted body, a body full of wounds, put
together, diseased, and full of many thoughts in which
there is neither permanence nor stability. This body is
worn out, a nest of diseases and very frail. This heap
of corruption breaks in pieces, life indeed ends in
death. What delight is there for him who sees these
white bones like gourds cast away in the autumn? Of
the bones a citadel is made, plastered over with flesh
and blood, and in it dwell old age and death, pride and
deceit. (Dhammapada 147-150)
The 3 Marks of Existence
• 3 States that mark our existence
• The Buddha taught these are the true
reality of life.
• Only when this is understood can
humans progress to enlightenment.
The 3 M E’s
Dukkha
• Suffering (many forms)
• Dukkha = life is unsatisfactory
• Suffering is caused by craving,
clinging, attachment and delusion
• Caused by not accepting Anicca and
Anatta.
The 3 M E’s
Anicca
• Impermanence
• Nothing lasts forever, everything changes
• Accepting Anicca = less craving  less
suffering
• Not Accepting
illusion of permanence
and  craving, attachment + suffering
The 3 M E’s
Anatta
• No soul / self / essence
• Because of Anicca there is no you, no
soul, or permanent you.
• Attachment to self = negative states of
mind
• Give up the pre-occupation with “me” in
order to be enlightened.