Nicca; 3 Definition(s)

Introduction

Nicca means something in Buddhism, Pali. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

In Buddhism

Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)

N (Eternal, which does last). Permanence.

Languages of India and abroad

Pali-English dictionary

nicca : (adj.) constant; continuous; permanent.

Nicca, (adj.) (Vedic nitya, adj. -formation fr. ni, meaning “downward”=onward, on and on; according to Grassmann (Wtb. z. Rig Veda) originally “inwardly, homely”) constant, continuous, permanent D. III, 31; S. I, 142; II, 109, 198; IV, 24 sq. , 45, 63; A. II, 33, 52; V, 210; Ps. II, 80; Vbh. 335, 426. In chain of synonyms: nicca dhuva sassata avipariṇāmadhamma D. I, 21; S. III, 144, 147; see below anicca, — nt. adv. niccaṃ perpetually, constantly, always (syn. sadā) M. I, 326; III, 271; Sn. 69, 220, 336; Dh. 23, 109, 206, 293; J. I, 290; III, 26, 190; Nd² 345 (=dhuvakālaṃ); PvA. 32, 55, 134. ‹-› Far more frequent as anicca (adj.; aniccaṃ nt. n.) unstable, impermanent, inconstant; (nt.) evanescence, inconstancy, impermanence.—The emphatic assertion of impermanence (continuous change of condition) is a prominent axiom of the Dhamma, & the realization of the evanescent character of all things mental or material is one of the primary conditions of attaining right knowledge (: anicca-saññaṃ manasikaroti to ponder over the idea of impermanence S. II, 47; III, 155; V, 132; Ps. II, 48 sq. , 100; PvA. 62 etc.—kāye anicc’ânupassin realizing the impermanence of the body (together with vayânupassin & nirodha°) S. IV, 211; V, 324, 345; Ps. II, 37, 45 sq. , 241 sq. See anupassanā). In this import anicca occurs in many combinations of similar terms, all characterising change, its consequences & its meaning, esp. in the famous triad “aniccaṃ dukkhaṃ anattā” (see dukkha II. 2), e.g. S. III, 41, 67, 180; IV, 28 (sabbaṃ), 85 sq. , 106 sq.; 133 sq. Thus anicca addhuva appāyuka cavanadhamma D. I, 21. anicca+dukkha S. II, 53 (yad aniccaṃ taṃ dukkhaṃ); IV, 28, 31, V, 345; A. IV, 52 (anicce dukkhasaññā); M. I, 500 (+roga etc.); Nd² 214 (id. cp. roga). anicca dukkha vipariṇāmadhamma (of kāmā) D. I, 36. aniccasaññī anattasaññī A. IV, 353; etc. ‹-› Opposed to this ever-fluctuating impermanence is Nibbāna (q. v.), which is therefore marked with the attributes of constancy & stableness (cp. dhuva, sassata amata, vipariṇāma).—See further for ref. S. II, 244 sq. (saḷāyatanaṃ a.), 248 (dhātuyo); III, 102 (rūpa etc.); IV, 131, 151; A. II, 33, 52; V, 187 sq. , 343 sq.; Sn. 805; Ps. I, 191; II, 28 sq. , 80, 106; Vbh. 12 (rūpa etc.), 70 (dvādasâyatanāni), 319 (viññāṇā), 324 (khandhā), 373; PvA. 60 (=ittara).

context information

Pali is the language of the Tipiṭaka, which is the sacred canon of Theravāda Buddhism and contains much of the Buddha’s speech. Closeley related to Sanskrit, both languages are used interchangeably between religions.

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