Beliefs & Practices
Three Marks of RealityBuddhists share a common way of viewing the world through the Three Marks of Reality.
The first mark of reality is change. When we look at life as it really is the first thing we notice is life’s constant change and/or impermanence. We are oftener surprised and pained by change because we don't expect it. With change, old patterns disappear and new patterns are born. The wise person expects and accepts change. The wise person might reflect that just as pleasures do not last forever, neither do sorrows. The second mark of reality is no permanent Identity. Each person and each thing is not only changing but is made up of parts that are also constantly changing. There is no permanent self or soul. The third mark of reality is suffering. We see this with dissatisfaction or disease. This refers to the fact that life, when we live it conventionally, can never be fully satisfying because of its inescapable change. There are times where ever-changing life brings misery. We see this misery as death, divorce, sickness, fire, flood, earthquake, war, loss of job or home, etc. To live means inescapably to experience sorrow and dissatisfaction. Molly, Michael. Experiencing the World’s Religions. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. (pg. 132-134) The Four Noble TruthsThe four noble truths are as follows:
Molly, Michael. Experiencing the World’s Religions. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. (pg. 134-136) |
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