my initial reading
on:-
Three Universal
Characteristics
A characteristic is a fact which tells us something about the
nature of a things. If a fact is sometimes connected with a things
and sometimes not, then it is not a characteristic and will not
help us very much to understand the nature of that thing.
Heat, for example, is a fact. Heat is not characteristic of
water, as water is not always hot. The heat of water depends upon
other factors like sun or an electric stove. But heat is a
characteristic of fire because fire is always hot and heat of fire
does not depend on any other factors. Heat is always connected with
fire and tells us something about the nature of fire.
When the Buddha taught that there are three characteristics of
facts of existence. They are generally found in all that exists and
so they can tell us something about the nature of existence.
The three characteristics of existence taught by the Buddha are
Impermanence, Suffering and Impersonality.
Impermanence
The Buddha taught that all existence is impermanent because
there is nothing internal or external whatsoever which is
permanent, stable, lasting, not subject to decay and destruction,
and forever the same. Everything changes continuously. Existence is
like the flowing water of a river or the burning flame of a candle,
which is never the same in two consecutive moments.
Our body, for instance, is made up of material elements such as
flesh, bones and blood, which are impermanent. From the moment of
our birth, the body constantly undergoes change. The human mind,
too, is dependent on many factors. It is in constant change. It is
like a monkeys forever jumping about, never still for even a
moment. Thus neither the body nor the mind is permanent and
unchanging.
Science teach that apparently permanent objects like the oceans,
continents, mountain ranges and even the earth, the sun and the
solar system are constantly changing and will some day become
extinct. When all these are also subject to change and destruction,
one cannot doubt the impermanence of life. Life can end at any
moment. No one can avoid death and the destruction of the body.
Understanding the characteristic of impermanence benefits people
in two important ways. Firstly, it can improve human relationships
and activities. Secondly, it can encourage people to follow the
Noble
Eightfold Path.
Often people find that they make mistakes in their relationships
with other because they fail to take into account the changes that
constantly occur in themselves and others. Often friendships die
because one or both parties fail to realise that their friend’s
personality, interests and attitudes have changed.
When one realises that people and situation are impermanent and
constantly changing,, one will approach each moment of a
relationship with an open mind. One will be able to react to each
new situation without clinging to outdated ideas about people.
Relationships can then develop fruitfully. Success in life depends
on one’s ability to adapt to change in situations and to make the
most of new opportunities arising.
Having understood that youth, health, material well-being and
even life itself are impermanent, people should then make the most
of those favourable circumstance while they last. This means that
they need to practice the Noble Eightfold Path in order to achieve
happiness and Enlightenment. The Buddha’s last words were: "Subject
to change are all things, Strive on with diligence".
Suffering
The Truth of suffering is the first of the Four
Noble Truths taught by the Buddha. Suffering is a
fact of life which people can see for themselves. It is one of the
three characteristics of existence.
Whatever is impermanent is also suffering. Everything which
arises will last only for a time, then it decay and finally dies.
Repeated birth and death is hard to endure, It disturbs one’s peace
and mind and is a cause of suffering.
Thus old age, sickness and death which are evidence of the
impermanence of life are forms of suffering. Since people tend to
cling to youth, heath, relationship and material achievements, the
realisation that these are impermanent, cause anxiety and fears. It
is said that even the gods trembled when the Buddha reminded them
that the heavens are also impermanent.
Understanding that suffering is universal and inevitable enables
one to face the realities of life with calmness of mind. One will
be able to cope with old age, sickness and death without becoming
disheartened or desperate. It also encourages people to look for
solution to the problem of suffering just as Prince Siddhartha
did.
Impersonality
People often think that there must be a personality or self that
is real and permanent, otherwise they would not exist or experience
things in life. However, the Buddha taught that there is no real,
permanent and independent personality or self at all. This is the
third characteristic of existence.
If a permanent and independent self really existed, one should
be able to identify it. Some people may say that the body is the
self, or that mind is the self. However, both ideas are wrong. Both
body and mind are impermanent, ever changing and subject to
destruction. They depend on many factors for their existence.
Neither body nor mind can possibly be the permanent and independent
self.
If the body were the self, it would be able to will itself to be
strong or fair. However the body grows tired, hungry and falls sick
against its will, so the body cannot be the personality or
self.
Similarly, if the mind were the self, it would do whatever it
wished. But the mind often runs away from what it knows to be
right, and run after what is wrong. It becomes disturbed,
distracted and excited against its will. Therefore the mind is also
not the self.
When people say, for instance, "I am going to work", they are
just using a convenient name I for a collection of physical and
mental factors. In reality, there is no I or self.
So long as people think that the self is permanent and
independent, they are bound to be self centred and egoistic. Not
only will feel constantly threatened by people and situations, but
they will also feel compelled to protect themselves, their
possessions, and even their opinions, at any cost.
But once people realise that the self is just a convenient name
for a collection of constantly changing physical and mental
factors, they will no longer cling to it in fear and insecurity.
They will find it easier to grow, learn, develop, and to be
generous, kind and compassionate because they will no longer need
to be constantly on the defensive.
Understanding the fact of impersonality can help people deal
more effectively with everyday situation. It encourages the
cultivation of Good Conduct and helps one to progress towards
happiness, peace and Enlightenment.
Impermanence, Suffering and Impersonality are the three
characteristic of existence. Whatever is impermanent is suffering,
and whatever is impermanent and suffering is also without an
independent self. Those who realise the truth of these three facts
of existence will be able to overcome suffering because their minds
are freed from delusions of permanence, pleasure and the self.
http://web.singnet.com.sg/~alankhoo/Universal.htm
It's quite logical.
But I am scared of losing my salvation and eternal place in
heaven.
I fear punishment from God for practising buddhism.
