Significance of Impermanence
According to Buddhism, impermanence signifies the transitory nature of all things, emphasizing that everything is subject to change and lacks lasting essence. This fundamental concept encourages practitioners to recognize that attachments to worldly possessions and experiences lead to suffering. Understanding impermanence cultivates awareness and acceptance of life's fleeting nature, motivating spiritual growth and meditation. Ultimately, acknowledging impermanence helps individuals reflect on the nature of self and existence, aiding in the pursuit of enlightenment and the cessation of suffering.
Synonyms: Transience, Evanescence, Instability, Changeability, Mutability, Momentariness
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Impermanence'
Impermanence in Buddhism, or anityata, signifies the transient nature of all realities, highlighting that all experiences arise and pass away. This fundamental teaching underscores the importance of understanding suffering stemming from attachment to the fleeting.
From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra
(1) The quality of being transitory and subject to change, applicable to the body, feelings, mind, and dharmas.[1] (2) The nature of all dharmas that they are transient and subject to change, recognized by the bodhisattva.[2] (3) The understanding that all things change, which helps individuals remain indifferent to attachment.[3] (4) A central theme in Buddhist philosophy signifying the transient nature of all things.[4] (5) An essential Buddhist concept indicating that all things are transient, leading to the understanding that attachment to sensory joys results in suffering.[5]
From: Mahayana Mahaparinirvana Sutra
(1) The Buddhist concept that all things are transient and constantly changing.[6] (2) The fundamental Buddhist concept that all phenomena are transient and subject to change.[7] (3) Impermanence is a fundamental Buddhist concept indicating that all phenomena are transient, underscoring the need for mindfulness and detachment from worldly attachments.[8] (4) The fundamental nature of all forms, feelings, perception, volition, and consciousness, demonstrating that nothing is permanent.[9] (5) A fundamental characteristic of all things, indicating that they are subject to change and that nothing is permanent.[10]
From: Buddhacarita
(1) A fundamental concept in the text portraying the transient nature of life and relationships, influencing the crown prince's decisions.[11] (2) The transient nature of all things, indicating that nothing lasts forever, including the Buddha himself.[12] (3) The concept that all things are subject to change and decay, emphasizing the transient nature of life.[13] (4) The understanding that life and its experiences are transient, impacting the way the Crown Prince perceives relationships.[14] (5) The concept that all sensory pleasures and appearances are fleeting, a core belief presented by the Crown Prince.[15]
From: The Mahavastu (great story)
(1) A fundamental Buddhist principle that highlights the transient nature of all phenomena.[16] (2) A central concept in Buddhism highlighting the transient nature of all phenomena, relating to the life cycle of beings.[17] (3) A crucial Buddhist concept depicted in the Exalted One's address, asserting that all phenomena are transient, including body and consciousness.[18]
From: Vimalakirti Nirdesa Sutra
(1) The concept Vimalakirti revealed, indicating that all things are transient and not durable.[19] (2) The doctrine that all things are in a constant state of change and do not last.[20] (3) The state of being transient and subject to change.[21]
From: Vimalakirti Sutra
(1) The concept that all things are transient and subject to change, a key insight that bodhisattvas contemplate.[22] (2) The fundamental Buddhist concept that all things are transient and subject to change.[23]
From: Karandavyuha Sutra
(1) A key principle recognized in both schools of Buddhism, reflecting the transient nature of worldly existence.[24]
From: Sūtra of the Great Vow of Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva
(1) A fundamental Buddhist concept referring to the transient nature of life, emphasizing that death can come unexpectedly and should motivate spiritual diligence.[25]
From: The Lotus Sutra
(1) The teaching that all things are transient and changeable, emphasized in the context of guiding beings to seek enlightenment.[26]
From: Mūlamadhyamakakārikā
(1) The text discusses the perception that impermanent states can sometimes be erroneously seen as permanent due to confusion.[27]
From: The Sutra of the Past Vows of Earth Store Bodhisattva
(1) The fundamental Buddhist concept that all things are transient, underscoring the importance of making good deeds while alive.[28]
From: Dhammapada (Illustrated)
(1) The transient nature of all things, which the young monk perceived as he watched the lotus flower wither and change color.[29] (2) A characteristic of all conditioned phenomena, indicating that everything is subject to change and decay.[30] (3) The realization that all beings are subject to change and death, leading to Kisagotami's spiritual awakening.[31] (4) The fundamental Buddhist concept that all things, including life itself, are subject to change and ultimately come to an end.[32] (5) The Buddhist principle that all things are transient, which includes the Buddha's life and teachings.[33]
From: Abhidhamma in Daily Life
(1) The inherent transitory nature of all experiences and phenomena.[34] (2) The teachings that all conditioned phenomena are transient and temporary, an essential insight on the path to enlightenment.[35] (3) The quality of being transient and subject to change, a key concept in understanding the nature of elements.[36] (4) Impermanence highlights the transient nature of all experiences, emphasizing that nothing lasts and should not be considered self.[37] (5) Impermanence refers to the characteristic of all phenomena arising and falling away, which applies to both nama and rupa.[38]
From: The Great Chronicle of Buddhas
(1) The concept the Buddha wishes to impart to his bhikkhus by showing them the glory of the Licchavi princes, indicating that no status is permanent.[39] (2) The concept that all conditioned things are subject to change and are ultimately unsubstantial.[40] (3) The fundamental Buddhist teaching underscored by Gotami Theri in her last words, emphasizing the transient nature of all phenomena.[41] (4) A key concept in the Buddha's teachings highlighting that all conditioned phenomena are transient and not self.[42] (5) A key Buddhist teaching that all conditioned things are subject to change and decay; some devas contemplate this truth to bear the Buddha's passing.[43]
From: Cetasikas
(1) The nature of all things to arise and pass away, influencing the way attachment can lead to suffering.[44] (2) The fundamental characteristic of all phenomena, indicating that they arise and cease without permanence.[45] (3) The notion that all conditioned realities are transient and do not last, integral to the teachings of the Buddha.[46] (4) The understanding that all worldly conditions are transient, contributing to feelings of aversion when changes occur.[47] (5) The Buddhist concept that all conditioned realities, including emotions and qualities, are transient and subject to change.[48]
From: Visuddhimagga (the pah of purification)
(1) The characteristic that indicates that aggregates are transient and constantly changing.[49] (2) The inherent quality of all formations to change and cease existing.[50] (3) The characteristic that all states are transient, continually arising and passing away, indicating that nothing remains unchanged over time.[51]
From: The Jataka tales [English], Volume 1-6
(1) A concept indicating that all things are transient and not permanent, which mankind fails to recognize.[52] (2) A central tenet in Buddhist thought that everything is transient and subject to change, illustrated by the metaphor of the cloth becoming soiled.[53]
From: A Manual of Abhidhamma
(1) The quality of being temporary and subject to change as embraced in Buddhist philosophy.[54] (2) The inherent quality of all things in existence to change and eventually cease, which is a key aspect of material phenomena.[55]
From: A Discourse on Paticcasamuppada
(1) The fundamental nature of existence that everything, including life and experiences, is subject to change and ultimately dissolution.[56] (2) The fundamental Buddhist concept that all phenomena are transient and subject to change, leading to inherent suffering.[57]
From: Mahavamsa
(1) A key concept in Buddhism that the Tathagata contemplated, leading to the end of suffering.[58]
From: The Catu-Bhanavara-Pali (critical study)
(1) A fundamental concept in Buddhism that highlights the transient nature of all phenomena and experiences.[59]
From: Guide to Tipitaka
(1) The quality of being transient as discussed in Abhidhamma; everything is viewed as changing and not permanent.[60]
From: Vinaya (3): The Cullavagga
(1) The concept that all component things are subject to dissolution, which the Arahats recognized to maintain their composure.[61]
From: The Catusacca Dipani
(1) One of the three characteristics of existence, highlighting that all phenomena are transient and subject to change.[62]
From: The Great Chariot
(1) The quality of being temporary and not lasting; the body is described as impermanent, emphasizing that it cannot be depended upon.[63] (2) The nature of life that indicates everything must be left behind, including attachments and worldly possessions.[64] (3) The understanding that all phenomena are temporary; awareness of this contributes to sadness and the motivation to meditate.[65] (4) The understanding that all things are transient, which is fundamental to Buddhist teachings and encourages practitioners to focus on spiritual goals.[66] (5) The transient nature of all phenomena that evolve in time and space, contrasting with the permanence of ultimate truths.[67]
From: Bodhinyana
(1) The fundamental quality of all phenomena, indicating that everything is in constant change and without a lasting essence.[68] (2) The concept that all things are in a constant state of change and do not last indefinitely.[69] (3) A fundamental quality indicating that all things are transient, which leads to understanding suffering and the nature of self.[70] (4) The characteristic of all phenomena indicating that they are transient and ever-changing.[71] (5) The nature of all things being temporary and subject to change, as understood in relation to self, body, mind, and the world.[72]
From: Apadana commentary (Atthakatha)
(1) The concept highlighted by Ratthapala, pointing out the transient nature of life and worldly possessions.[73] (2) The Buddhist concept that all conditioned things are temporary and subject to change, as discussed by the Buddha.[74] (3) The concept realized by the king, highlighted through the transformation of the coral tree, illustrating that all things undergo change.[75]
From: The Fo-Sho-Hing-Tsan-King (A Life of Buddha)
(1) The Buddhist concept of the transitory nature of life, highlighted by the prince’s reflections.[76]
From: Blue Annals (deb-ther sngon-po)
(1) A feeling of sorrow towards the fleeting nature of existence, highlighted in the context of religious understanding.[77]
Hindu concept of 'Impermanence'
In Hinduism, impermanence signifies the transient nature of worldly phenomena, including the physical body and divine positions, highlighting the temporary state of existence and knowledge, essential in understanding life's fleeting reality.
From: Mandukya Upanishad
(1) Refers to the inherent quality of entities being temporary and transient in nature.[78]
From: Taittiriya Upanishad Bhashya Vartika
(1) The quality of being temporary or transient, which is a flaw attributed to knowledge when it is linked with other-dependence.[79]
From: Brihadaranyaka Upanishad
(1) The concept expressed regarding the transient nature of the body and experiences associated with them.[80]
From: Thirty minor Upanishads
(1) The quality of being subject to change, linked with the transient nature of worldly phenomena.[81]
From: History of Indian Medicine (and Ayurveda)
(1) The state of being transient, referring to the physical body and its elements which face dissolution over time.[82]
From: Bhesajjakkhandhaka (Chapter on Medicine)
(1) A fundamental concept in Buddhism, indicating that all things are transient, including health.[83]
From: The Skanda Purana
(1) The transient nature of positions like Brahma, Vishnu, or Indra, which Andhaka acknowledges and rejects.[84]