1. How can the 3 Marks of Existence guide Buddhists?
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The Three Marks
I can describe the 3 marks of existence
I can describe in detail the concept of anicca
I can explain how this could help Buddhists
How can the 3 Marks of Existence guide Buddhists?

2. The Three Marks of Existence
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The Three Marks of Existence
Buddhists believe that there are three things that affect our existence whether we like it or not:
impermanence (anicca)
no self (anatta)
suffering (dukkha)

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4. Challenge: Do you think change is a good thing?
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Give examples of anicca by making a list of things that have changed since yesterday.
They can be good or not so good. They can have changed a huge amount, or just a tiny wee bit, it doesn’t matter. They can be near or very far away, important or insignificant.
Challenge: Do you think change is a good thing?
Aim to include:
Changes to living things
Changes to inanimate objects
Changes to the mind

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Watch the video. Then highlight any of the lyrics that support the idea of anicca and dukkha. Challenge: Explain the link between anicca and dukkha using an example from the song.

6. How could the concept of anicca help Mark?
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How could the concept of anicca help Mark?

7. How can the 3 Marks of Existence guide Buddhists?
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Who am I?
I can describe the concept of anatta
I can explain the 5 skandhas
I can evaluate the use of meditation in understanding the Three Marks
How can the 3 Marks of Existence guide Buddhists?

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10. The Five Skandhas / aggregates
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The Five Skandhas / aggregates
We have no soul, or permanent self.
Humans are made up of these impermanent skandhas (bundles) which all change:
Form (physical body)
Sensation (senses – experience the world through these)
Perception (recognising objects, being aware of sensory information)
mental formations (thoughts, beliefs, reactions)
Consciousness (being aware we exist)
Only karmic energy and some consciousness remain for rebirth but these also change…

11. The Bicycle Analogy Is it still a bicycle if… We remove the saddle?
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The Bicycle Analogy
Anatta means there is no bicycle, and never was.
‘Bicycle’ is a convenient label, but it is an illusion. It is just a temporary arrangement of different parts.
Our identity is an illusion: there is no separate, permanent self. There is no ‘human’ separate from the parts that make us up.
Anatta = no soul.
Can you think of another analogy to explain anatta?
Is it still a bicycle if…
We remove the saddle?
And the handlebars?
And the brakes?
The gears?
The wheels?
At which point is it no longer a bicycle?
At this point, how can you explain where the bicycle has gone?

12. The Chariot Analogy
One of the King's first questions is on the nature of the self and personal identity. Nagasena greeted the King by acknowledging that Nagasena was his name, but that "Nagasena" was only a designation; no permanent individual "Nagasena" could be found. This amused the King. Who is it that wears robes and takes food? he asked. If there is no Nagasena, who earns merit or demerit? Who causes karma? If what you say is true, a man could kill you and there would be no murder. "Nagasena" would be nothing but a sound. Nagasena asked the King how he had come to his hermitage, on foot or by horseback? I came in a chariot, the King said. But what is a chariot? Nagasena asked. Is it the wheels, or the axles, or the reigns, or the frame, or the seat, or the draught pole? Is it a combination of those elements? Or is it found outside those elements? The King answered no to each question. Then there is no chariot! Nagasena said. Now the King acknowledged the designation "chariot" depended on these constituent parts, but that "chariot" itself is a concept, or a mere name. Just so, Nagasena said, "Nagasena" is a designation for something conceptual. It is a mere name. When the constituent parts are present we call it a chariot; When the Five Skandhas are present, we call it a being.

13. Sort the arguments into ‘for’ and ‘against’.
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‘The best way to understand the Buddha’s teachings about the Three Marks of Existence is by meditating.’
Sort the arguments into ‘for’ and ‘against’.
Challenges:
Which is the strongest argument?
Which is the weakest? Can you think of a counter-argument?
Buddhists’ view of Anatta affects the way they act in everyday life. By seeing no
difference between ‘self’ and ‘others’ Buddhists learn to become dispassionate about
things. Selfish feelings such as jealousy, lust, depression are discouraged but those
which encourage connections between people such as caring, listening and helping
others are developed.
The precepts help to develop awareness of Anatta. Each precept encourages
Buddhists to become selfless. The first five encourage all Buddhists to put others first
by avoiding harming living beings, avoiding taking what is not given, avoiding
incorrect speech, avoiding sexual misconduct and avoiding drink and drugs that cloud
the mind. In keeping these precepts Buddhists learn to think of others and therefore
the idea of self diminishes.
The second set of precepts which are followed by the monastic community enable
them to deepen their concept of Anatta. Not eating after midday, avoiding
entertainments, perfumes and garlands, a luxurious bed and handling gold and silver
may not seem to be connected to thinking of others but on reflection it can be seen
that these actions may encourage feelings of greed, vanity and sloth if not avoided.
These are selfish feelings which may lead to greater perception of the difference
between self and others.

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‘The best way to understand the Buddha’s teachings about the Three Marks of Existence is by meditating.’
Buddhists’ view of Anatta affects the way they act in everyday life. By seeing no
difference between ‘self’ and ‘others’ Buddhists learn to become dispassionate about
things. Selfish feelings such as jealousy, lust, depression are discouraged but those
which encourage connections between people such as caring, listening and helping
others are developed.
The precepts help to develop awareness of Anatta. Each precept encourages
Buddhists to become selfless. The first five encourage all Buddhists to put others first
by avoiding harming living beings, avoiding taking what is not given, avoiding
incorrect speech, avoiding sexual misconduct and avoiding drink and drugs that cloud
the mind. In keeping these precepts Buddhists learn to think of others and therefore
the idea of self diminishes.
The second set of precepts which are followed by the monastic community enable
them to deepen their concept of Anatta. Not eating after midday, avoiding
entertainments, perfumes and garlands, a luxurious bed and handling gold and silver
may not seem to be connected to thinking of others but on reflection it can be seen
that these actions may encourage feelings of greed, vanity and sloth if not avoided.
These are selfish feelings which may lead to greater perception of the difference
between self and others.
Disagree

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