Anicca

Anicca is usually translated as impermanence. The Buddha believed that everything was impermanent, and changing.

Many of us accept that change happens. We are obviously aware that things come into existence and cease existing. However, we often fail to apply this understanding to the things around us.

Some changes we can see happening and find easier to accept. These might include changes such as the progress of the seasons and damage and decay to belongings. At other times, change is more subtle and it is easy to believe that things will remain the same.

A building may appear a permanent structure, but eventually the accumulation of tiny changes will make it unsafe and it will require repair or demolition.

It is because we expect things to remain unchanged that we become attached to them. When they do change we then experience dukkha. Of course, anicca is ultimately related to anatta too.