Buddhism EP. 07 : The Characteristic of Impermanence ?!?
Impermanence means the change of all things – personal and impersonal, internal and external including all surroundings. If we understand the truth of impermanence, we will be able to deal with people and problems intelligently and live a happy life. http://winne.ws/n24735
Let’s study together thru the conversation of the students who really need to know about “Buddhism”
Tom : You seem to like this flower
very much.
Pim : I enjoy looking at it.
It symbolized impermanence.
Did you notice that
in the early morning it
was as white as snow ?
Now, it’s eleven o’clock.
it has already become
light pink, but in the evening
it will turn rose-colored.
Tom : Will it ?
Pim : Yes. It gradually changed
from white to light pink.
Before going home
in the evening,
take another look at it,
it will have turned
reddish pink. It is a real
symbol of impermanence.
Tom : It reminds you of something,
doesn’t it ?
Pim : Yes, it does. It’s the best
thing that makes me
realize the Three Common
Tom : What are they ?
Pim : The teaching of the Three
Common Characteristics of
Existence is one of the
fundamental teachings of
Buddhism. This teaching
consists of impermanence,
suffering, and not-self.
Tom : Could you explain them ?
Pim : Well, let’s look at the
first characteristic –
the characteristic of
impermanence.
If we look at our own
personality, we will find
that our bodies are subject
to continuous change.
We grow old and inactive,
our hair goes gray and white,
our teeth fall out, our eyesight
becomes poor, our eyes are
surrounded by many wrinkles,
our hair falls out.
Tom : I think we are accustomed
to these changes.
Pim : But I think most people
do not accept them.
Most people expect to
look eternally young;
otherwise they would not
dye their hair, or try to get rid
of the wrinkles on their faces
by plastic surgery.
Tom : I think they are within their
rights to do so, you know.
You shouldn’t criticize them.
Pim : I never intend to violate
anyone’s privacy. The point
is that the acceptance of
these changes will cause us
the truth of the world.
As a matter of fact, not only
our bodies but also our
mental states are subject
to change. At the moment
we are happy, and
at another we are sad.
As children, we rarely
understand anything.
As adults, we have a great
deal of knowledge but
when we grow old we lose
the power of our mental
faculties and become like
babies. Our minds are also
characterized by impermanence.
Tom : That’s true.
Pim : This is also true of the
surroundings. Everything
around us is impermanent.
Nothing will last forever –
neither our houses, nor
the temples, neither the tree
and mountain ranges, nor
the rivers and oceans.
Tom : Yes, all things –
personal and impersonal,
internal and external,
are subject to constant change.
Pim : These changes affect us
intimately in our daily life.
In short, the understanding
of impermanence will teach
us how to deal with people
and problems intelligently.
It is an antidote to desire,
hatred, and delusion.
It gives us encouragement
to practice the Dhamma.
Moreover, it is the key to
understanding the way things
really are.
Tom : Pim, I see, now, why you
really like this flower.
It really is the symbol of
impermanence!
Thanks & regards : AJ S. Srisopa (Cr. All Dhammateachers) & impermanence