1. Summary of Points Knowledge & Understanding Analysis & Evaluation
Anicca
Summary of Points
Knowledge & Understanding
Analysis & Evaluation
25 year time lapse

2. Knowledge & Understanding
Explain/ describe the Buddhist concept of anicca.

3. Explain/ describe the Buddhist concept of anicca.
It is the Buddha’s teaching about impermanence
It is one of the Three Marks of Existence/ Three Universal Truths (which are the description of the Human Condition)
It teaches that nothing lasts forever, that everything is constantly changing
Some things change quickly eg. bananas, other things change slowly eg. mountains

4. Everything is ‘conditioned’ i. e
Everything is ‘conditioned’ i.e. everything depends on other things/people for existence (dependant origination)
Anicca also applies to the individual (anatta-impermanence of self)
Not accepting the truth of anicca leads to suffering (dukkha) and rebirth (samsara)
The Buddha experienced anicca in his own life ( changed from life of luxury to life of self-denial)

5. Anicca Examples of AE questions
Is anicca an accurate concept?
Does it portray the human condition well/successfully?
Does it bring benefits or difficulties?

6. Positive/Benefits
It’s true - we are all aware that everything is constantly changing. (can’t step in the same river twice!)
The illusion of permanence leads to craving and attachment, and so also to suffering – accepting it brings release from craving and so also from suffering (eg attachment to alcohol or drugs or money just brings more suffering)
The illusion of impermanence leads to constant rebirths – accepting it brings release from samsara ie nibbana/nirvana
Heraclitus- pre-socrates- you cannot step into the same river twice! ‘everything flows-nothing stands still’

7. The Buddha experienced it -the 4 sights : we are all subject to sickness, old age and death. He discovered, and taught a Middle Path to enlightenment – Buddhists can follow his example.
Buddha’s teachings (dhamma) eg Eightfold Path, offer a positive answer - release from suffering caused by impermanence.
Parable of Kisagotami: Buddha’s way of teaching that everything is impermanent and affects us all. Understanding and accepting anicca is a step towards lessening suffering.
Kiagotami-parable of the mustard seed- young girl who lost her son looking for mustard seed from someone who has not lost- ‘ the living are few, the dead are many’

8. Bad times will pass! Helpful eg during exams!
There is a constant cycle of birth, death, rebirth (samsara) - so anicca should promote compassion - we are ALL caught up in this cycle.
Greed for impermanent things leads to bad kamma – accept that things change, reduce bad kamma!
Need change in order to exist eg breathing!
Less likely to get depressed about changes if accept them and see them as positive - meditation can help bring calm and help come to terms with change.

9. Negative/difficulties
Many things change very slowly eg mountains, ourselves - we may be unaware of change
Non-attachment can lead to an uncaring or negative outlook on life (what is the point if it’s all going to change anyway )
Idea of constant change can be depressing - what is the point of life?! e.g teenagers do not want to contemplate becoming old and wrinkly!
What about suffering of others? Cannot just ignore it and say ‘it will pass’! Meditation is not the same as action!

10. Realisation of anicca and anatta can just make us more selfish and desperate to hold onto what we have!
Impermanence affects ‘me’ - there is no permanent Me/I (anatta) - nothing more than a ‘painted puppet’ - in modern times desire for eternal youth: botox, nip and tuck etc - cannot accept old age, leads to more suffering in the end
Although bad times will pass, so too will happiness - difficult for us to accept!

11. It can be difficult to accept it when people we love suffer or die - idea of anicca does not necessarily help to come to terms with grief.
We need stability when things are bad - idea of constant change is not helpful.

12. Sample Question Explain the concept of anicca 8KU
Does it portray the human condition well/successfully? 8AE