Questions tagged [impermanence]
Impermanence is one of the essential doctrines or three marks of existence in Buddhism. The term expresses the Buddhist notion that all of conditioned existence, without exception, is transient, or in a constant state of flux.
67
questions
11
votes
13answers
10k views
Buddhism broke up my marriage
The title is provocative but sums up my problem: when I am immersed in Buddhist thought, I can no longer love my wife.
Buddhism clearly contradicts romantic love. It tolerates it up to a certain ...
3
votes
5answers
150 views
How does rebirth fit with the fact that everything is impermanent?
One of the lessons Buddhism teaches is that everything is impermanent. Our thoughts, our feelings, our emotions, our bodies, our life. Everything. We are surrounded by death. We are mortals. There is ...
0
votes
2answers
74 views
Has anyone ever in the history of Buddhism claimed that the phenomenal aspect of the storehouse consciousness is also permanent?
Has anyone ever in the history of Buddhism claimed that the phenomenal aspect of the storehouse consciousness is also permanent?
I'm not asking if it's impermanent, but if it is also permanent. ...
1
vote
2answers
84 views
In Yogacara Buddhism, is discontinuity an illusion, and does change arise?
Buddhists talk about discontinuity
ordinary consciousness consists of the discrete cetas
and illusion
all is illusion and the external objects are nothing but the creations
of our mind
In ...
1
vote
3answers
81 views
How do you contemplate delight you get due to action that leads to detachment?
Let us follow the unbeaten track, the dukkha in right action.
You see a man in need, you feel compassion, wishing him well you help him with his worldly need, then you feel delighted of your action....
1
vote
5answers
99 views
Buddhism and Integrative Complexity
I noticed a coincidence between something I read in a book by Thich Nhat Hanh, and an article on research about a psychological phenomenon known to facilitate inner and outer peace. My question is: ...
0
votes
6answers
180 views
Can the change due to impermanence be considered intelligent?
What is the nature of the change due to impermanence ,is it just a random change or intelligent change ?,are the actions resulting from it considered right action or that depends on the degree of ...
0
votes
6answers
77 views
Permanent Matter?
My friend told this to me & now I am confused.
Isn't the amount of matter in the universe the same, no less, nor
more, because nothing is ever lost, nor created, everything causes everything,...
3
votes
4answers
671 views
Buddhists advise against “me and mine” does that include times?
Buddhists advise against "me and mine" does that include times? Do Buddhists really talk about "my" future past and present?
If so, what are the nature of those times? Specifically: will "my" ...
0
votes
2answers
144 views
Can the “Senika heresy” be useful?
The Rhetoric of Immediacy: A Cultural Critique of Chan/Zen Buddhism
By Bernard Faure p60 (I've not read this book) links it to linji ("the true man without affairs")
Wiki says
In his later years ...
1
vote
1answer
29 views
Is this an ok understanding of Dharmakirti's vināśitvānumāna?
The point is that such moment by moment destruction is spontaneous
(ākasmika) and is the uncaused real nature of things, because it
cannot be an effect of any cause. The effect of such a cause, i....
0
votes
2answers
906 views
How do you write Anicca (Impermanence) in Pali script?
I'm looking to get a tattoo and have anicca written in Pali in several places. Can you help me with how to write this in Pali script?
Thanks in advance!
2
votes
1answer
113 views
Buddhist perspective on uncertainty
I was reading some books containing an anthology of Ajahn Chah's Dhamma Talks to both laymen and monks. In the introduction of one of those books, the translator indicated that AC used to translate '...
1
vote
4answers
152 views
Buddhism after death
From what I understand the aggregates aren't self but now when a person dies and the material aggregates of his body dissolve then what remains who gets reincarnated ?.If there is no soul then what ...
4
votes
3answers
158 views
MN 137 - Directed only to Stream Entrants (and beyond)?
"And what are the six kinds of renunciation joy? The joy that arises when — experiencing the inconstancy of those very forms, their change, fading, & cessation — one sees with right discernment as ...
1
vote
5answers
127 views
Acceptance of impermanence as the right of passage to adulthood? My take on Buddha's teaching
The Buddha encouraged us to find out for ourselves whether what he was saying was true.
I say the same. Feel free to find what is true for you.
The Buddha invented a rite of passage to adult age.
...
1
vote
2answers
55 views
For what reason did Dharmakirti argue that absences are conceptual constructions?
For what reason did Dharmakirti argue that absences are conceptual constructions? I wondered if it was because real absences would have svabhava, would be essences, because they do not change in time?
...
0
votes
2answers
42 views
Is it true that everything is unconditionally changeable?
Given that except Nirvana everything is impermanent, is it true that everything is unconditionally changeable? In other words whether, given something ,isn't it true that it will change no matter ...
0
votes
1answer
48 views
Why is real magic not a good illustration to realize Truth?
Many monks achieved various levels of perfections and some were extraordinary by human standards like passing through walls , walking on water, levitating in the sky, dying then arising etc...
If ...
1
vote
5answers
255 views
If all things are impermanent, then how can Buddhism make absolute assertions?
I had someone ask me this afternoon:
If Buddhism teaches that all things are impermanent, then how can it
make absolute assertions such as there are 5 aggregates or there
are 4 noble truths?
...
0
votes
6answers
99 views
why can't we swap one desire for another and another?
We know that because of impermanence, that nothing is worth clinging to. But did the Buddha say any words on why we cannot swap one impermanent source of satisfaction for another, and continue doing ...
2
votes
5answers
294 views
How do I practice ' see things as they are'?
Further to the answers to this question, I want to understand what literally is 'see things as they are' or as the sutta states, Yathā-bhūta-ñāna-dassana.
My questions are,
I understand that if I ...
2
votes
4answers
130 views
Impermanence: How do we know when a thing ends or if it's just changing?
It seems to be a big deal that we see things as they are. If we are merely assuming when things begin and end or change then how do we ever really see things as they are?
1
vote
3answers
107 views
Responsibility in Buddhism
If nothing can be considered 'myself' or 'mine', if nothing is in my complete control (take volition for example), how can people be held responsible for their thoughts, words and deeds, if they are ...
1
vote
1answer
162 views
Dispassion in Buddhism
Is something along those lines somewhere to be found in? I am aware of the drawbacks mentioned in MN.19 , but could this way of thinking, that is, the shortness of pleasure not lead to isolation/life ...
1
vote
1answer
106 views
Supposing mahayana nirvana is permanent does it have substance?
Supposing mahayana nirvana is permanent (and I believe it is called this) does it have substance? I'm just asking due to some completely trivial insights: it seems that a quality of my experience of ...
0
votes
5answers
158 views
Why must the goal be everylasting? (Anicca)
Why must someone strive for something which is everlasting, e.g. Nirvana? It is unfortunate if everything is impermanent but I think this is a mistake, a false conclusion, that you shouldn't be ...
2
votes
8answers
222 views
Is what is impermanent always the cause of suffering?
While describing Dhamma Buddha asks "Is what is impermanent suffering or happiness?" to which Ananda replies "suffering".
My question is : Is what is impermanent always the cause of suffering?
-1
votes
4answers
195 views
For a non-believer, what good does realizing impermanence do?
Does a realization or just thorough understanding of impermanence, as it appears in Buddhism, benefit a non-believer in the rest of Buddhism, at all, especially not karma?
I'm not asking if they can ...
1
vote
3answers
195 views
How can the concept of Anicca be linked to Sunyata?
Sunyata is more commonly used to explain Anatta, but how about Anicca?
1
vote
7answers
127 views
Is impermance provable?
Check out my reasoning and tell me where it's flawed.
1) To know that nothing stays the same you have to have a reliable, permanent memory.
2) If memory is impermanent, then it cannot be used to ...
3
votes
3answers
126 views
'Impermanence' during vipassana practice
Thoughts stopped when seen them. Either happy or sad feelings of mind disappears by seen them. Is this impermanence?
4
votes
3answers
220 views
What is the phantom in the conclusion of the Diamond Sutra?
This is the version I am referring to:
Thus shall ye think of this fleeting world: A star at dawn, a bubble
in a stream; A flash of lightning in a summer cloud; A flickering
lamp, a phantom, ...
0
votes
4answers
172 views
Is 'impermanence' skillful means?
Is 'impermanence' skillful means?
Wikipedia's definition of "Skillful means" says:
The implication [of skillful means] is that even if a technique, view, etc., is not ultimately "true" in the ...
3
votes
3answers
213 views
Anicca (when and how?)
The Buddha put high emphasize on Anicca and thus it shouldn't be dismissed. Now my question: When should one remind oneself of the transience of all phenomena? I doubt in every occassion.
If I for ...
2
votes
4answers
398 views
Unclarity on Sati-Sampajañña
In one Sutta the Buddha said that one should constantly be mindful of the fact of anicca. In the Satipatthana Sutta he said that when one is dressing, eating, speaking etc. one should be aware that he ...
3
votes
2answers
253 views
On Sati-Sampajanna
So if I am mindful of let's say a sensation or I am just mindful of a specific body part should I label that "event", e.g.: thinking, thinking, touching, touching, seeing, seeing?
I am asking because ...
3
votes
2answers
140 views
Impermanence (Anicca) and Mindfulness in general
Did the Buddha meant to be attentive all the time or is that just an ideal to strive for?
If we are attentive and feel sensations do we always see the impermanence in them? So first to recognize what ...
7
votes
9answers
2k views
What is the meaning of Anicca and Anatta?
Most of the English translation I read, Anatta is translated as not-self and Anicca as impermanence.
However many Sri Lankan Buddhist monks do not agree with this translation.
They say it is a miss ...
2
votes
2answers
103 views
Are there any teachings about how we should censure happiness which arises without right view?
Please note that I’m not referring to momentary happiness from distractive actions, like narcotic or alcohol consumption: I’m referring to excessive happiness that arises, from birth of a child, or ...
2
votes
5answers
341 views
Is change permanent?
I find this an interesting question. When we say things are impermanent, we often say that it is because they constantly undergo change. But in that, do we make the assumption that change will always ...
0
votes
1answer
56 views
do all beings have past lives? [duplicate]
Is it a truth in Buddhism that all beings have past lives? How does Buddhism explain new life? For example, would the increasing amount of population be explained by some us having shared past lives?
0
votes
7answers
315 views
Is space impermanent?
I know that space is often said to be unconditioned, and it seems right to say that it is empty of svabhava.
But, is it impermanent?
2
votes
2answers
70 views
why i am unaware, not awake?
I made you read the explaination and you are trying to get what is not available! What is that and why we do this? Why we want to be awake when we are totally unaware of being awake-state?
2
votes
1answer
81 views
Pure Land Schools' version of the Three (or Four) Marks of Existence
I'd be grateful for references to some of the major Pure Land schools' versions of the Three (or Four) Marks (Seals) of Existence:
Impermanence (anicca)
Suffering (dukkha)
No-self (anattā)
...
5
votes
4answers
539 views
Am I “fooling” myself?
As I practice more and more on seeing life as Dukkha, something interesting happens. I feel a greater sense of gratitude and contentment.
I am not talking about seeing things as they are directly ...
3
votes
1answer
57 views
Change and decay of one's own body. How fast is it?
We all know that we get sick and get old but i have heard that "Abhidhamma" talks about a faster version of decay and change.As i have heard there is a change that is happening every fraction of a ...
5
votes
3answers
288 views
What does the Abhidhamma say about impermanence?
I understand the state of changing (impermanence) mentioned in Buddhism, but I have also heard that another more complex version (of the doctrine of impermanence) exists in the Abhidhamma.
I would ...
6
votes
2answers
353 views
Difference between “Becoming” and Anicca
To preface my question, I will add that I am very unfamiliar with Buddhism. My knowledge consists of some historical anecdotes, and I also know some of the basic tenets.
That being said, is there a ...
-3
votes
1answer
65 views
Is eating an apple from a tree planted right next to a granddad's tomb not permitted? [closed]
Suppose A's granddad died many years ago and was buried in the back yard.
Right next to his tomb, grows a very fruitful apple tree. There are many delicious apples on that tree.
Is it ok to eat ...
