The First of the Three Characteristics of Existence
The Buddhist Studies Program is designed for people who have attended three or more mindfulness meditation retreats and have a commitment to daily meditation practice. The course includes dharma talks, small and large group discussions, and guided sitting time. Participants will be expected to use the teachings as a focus of their meditation and daily life practice. Led by Mark Nunberg.
Audio
Readings for Impermanence
- Do We Really Believe in Impermanence? Carol Wilson
- The Context of Impermanence by Andrew Olendzki
- All About Change by Thanissaro Bhikkhu
- Impermanence, By Gil Fronsdal
- The Three Basic Facts of Existence I. Impermanence (Anicca), Collected essays with a preface by Nyanaponika Thera
- Impermanence by Thich Nhat Hanh and the Definition of Anicca
Teachings on Death and the Impermanence of the Body
- Experience and Experiencing by Joko Beck
- AN 6.19 Maranassati Sutta: Mindfulness of Death (1)
- AN 6.20 Maranassati Sutta: Mindfulness of Death (2)
- The Section on the Nine Cemetery Contemplations
- The Time Comes When It Is Easier to Die by Red Hawk
- The Joy Hidden in Sorrow by Sister Medhanandi
- Only the Practice of Dharma Can Help Us at the Time of Death Larry Rosenberg from Tricycle Summer 2000
- The Snowstorm by Loren Eiseley
- Poem When Death Comes by Mary Oliver from New and Selected Poems Beacon Press
- Life In Hell
- Gotama and the Mustard Seed
- Final Thoughts
Additional Resources
- A Walk in the Woods by Phra Khantipalo
- Pages 267-268 in Venerable Analayo’s book Satipatthana: The Direct Path to Realization, where he sums up the Buddha’s teachings in the Satipatthana sutta as, “Keep calmly knowing change.”
- A recorded talk by Ajahn Bramali on impermanence.
- On the Cross of Our Illusions: A Guided Dying Meditation and Reflections, by Ayya Medhanandi
- A Guided Meditation on Death, by Bhikkhu Analayo
- An audio recording of the chant that we are chanting at the end of class
Aniccaa vata sankhaaraa
uppaada vaya dhammino
Uppajjitvaa nirujjhanti
tesam vuupasamo sukho.Impermanent are all component things,
They arise and cease, that is their nature:
They come into being and pass away,
Release from them is bliss supreme.
–Mahaa-Parinibbaana Sutta (DN 16) - Guy Armstrong, Impermanence, A Dharma talk given on Oct. 5, 2009
- Mark Coleman, What’s Up with Change?, March 3, 2004
Wherever I go, I am unafraid;
Wherever I sleep, I am unalarmed.
The nights and days do not burn me.
I see nothing in this world that is to be lost;
Therefore my heart dwells
In goodwill and kindness
To all beings until I fall to sleep
(S.1.110) - The Buddha’s words on impermanence: SN 47.13, Cunda Sutta, translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu
- SN 22.59, Pañcavaggi Sutta: Anatta-lakkhana Sutta: The Discourse on the Not-self Characteristic translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu
- Thich Nhat Hahn (Scan 1)
- Thich Nhat Hahn (Scan 2)
- Five Subjects for Frequent Recollection
Please use this set of statements from the Buddha for reflection during the second half of the course.I am of the nature to age, I have not gone beyond aging.
I am of the nature to sicken, I have not gone beyond sickness.
I am of the nature to die, I have not g×one beyond dying.
All that is mine, beloved and pleasing, will become otherwise, will become separated from me.
I am the owner of my kamma, heir to my kamma, born of my kamma, related to my kamma, abide supported by my kamma. Whatever kamma I shall do, for good or for ill, of that I will be the heir.
Thus we should frequently recollect.
