The 3 Dharma Seals of Buddhism
religion
The 3 Dharma seals of Buddhism religion – the focal points
on which the whole philosophy of Buddhism is based are that of
Suffering, No-self and Impermanence.
Ancient Buddhism religion stresses the truth of suffering
and the unsatisfactory nature of our normal lives. But it is
not a pessimistic religion as it also offers a way out of
suffering. Indeed it is true of all of us that if it had not
been for suffering than we would never make an effort to
interest ourselves in philosophy and try to come out of it.
This is one of the central points of Buddhism religion.
No Self is stressed in modern
and ancient Buddhism beliefsThe 2 other concepts are
No-self and Impermanence. Let me take No-self first as it is
somewhat counter-intuitive and at variance with the way all of
us perceive the world. Take the chair that you are sitting on
for instance. The chair is made of wood; the wood was taken
from the trees in the forest. The logger cut the tree down so
that the chair could be made, the carpenter fashioned the
chair. The tree needed the soil to grow as well as the sun, the
clouds, rain and so on. When we look at the chair we think of
it as having a separate from the rest of existence. But this
sort of analysis tells us that the chair could not have come
into existence had it not been for the tree the sun the
carpenter.
The chair is composed of and contains all these non-chair
elements – the tree, the sun the carpenter and so on. It is not
separate from the rest of existence. It is part of the whole.
It is only our habit of making false distinctions, which leads
us, to believe that it is separate from the rest of
existence.
This view finds support in modern science also. The theory
of Quantum Physics informs us that it is likely that the whole
Universe is one organic whole. For more on this subject please
refer my special report available to you as a bonus for signing
up for my Free newsletter.
Impermanence - the third of the
central Buddhism beliefsNow the third central concept of
the religion Buddhism – the concept of Impermanence. All things
in this Universe – indeed the Universe itself will come to an
end one day. Most of us cannot imagine our own deaths – it is
something that we do not think about. Yet the day will come
when we will die and then except for a few persons who will
remember us for a few days it will be as if we had never
existed. Similarly all man made things and all natural
phenomena whether on this Earth or otherwise will come to an
end one day.
This concept of impermanence should be made a central point
of your philosophy – of the way you look at the world. I am not
asking you to become a Buddhist – just to recognize and keep in
mind the fact of impermanence as you go through life.
I am doing Vipassana meditation as taught by S. N Goenka and
this method stresses on the understanding of impermanence. The
method says that by an experience of the impermanent nature of
the sensations in the body it is possible to be enlightened. It
is a powerful form of meditation – although quite demanding, as
you have to meditate for 2 hours every day.
Practicing Impermanence in day
to day lifeI have been practicing Vipassana regularly for
a few months now and reminding myself of the impermanent nature
of sensations and that I should not be attached to any
sensation as it will lead to suffering. I soon found myself
applying the same logic to my thoughts and feelings. Earlier I
used to obsess over many things and had a tendency to brood.
Now whenever I find myself becoming disturbed or unhappy I
remind myself that this is impermanent and I find myself
becoming more relaxed and accepting both of myself and the
world around me. I am now much happier as a result.
So exploring the religion Buddhism will help you be so much
happier moment to moment as you go through life.
Vipassana and indeed all forms of meditation, whether of the
Buddhism religion or otherwise tend to emphasize that an
intellectual understanding of these truths is not enough to
transform us. We must experience the truth of it from our own
experience – have an experiential understanding. I can tell you
from experience that doing Vipassana, which stresses on
Impermanence, the central point of Buddhism religion, has
changed me for the better and in a very short period of
time.
For more on this form of meditation please visit this page
on Vipassana meditation
Suffering, No Self and Impermanence are the 3 Dharma Seals
of Buddhism. The religion is based on these 3 central
concepts.
So here have described how I was helped by Buddhism. The
religion has many more such insights that can help transform
your life.
Buddhism also offers a concrete path to insight about the
Universe and our relationship with it. For more information
please visit Eightfold path of
Buddhism It explains the importance of Right views.
The path leading to the end of suffering is also one of the
main Buddhism beliefs.
For a complete list of articles please visit this page on
Buddhism.
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