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February 3, 2018; revised February 11, 2020; July 28, 2022 (note on Discourse 4)
Tilakkhaṇa or Three Marks of Existence or Three Characteristics of Nature (anicca, dukkha, anatta) are discussed in detail in a series of five discourses. These are based on the first two suttā (Dhammacakka Pavattana Sutta and the Anatta Lakkhaṇa Sutta) that the Buddha delivered to the five ascetics right after attaining Enlightenment.
▪Only an essential outline is provided in these discourses. There will be five topics (for each discourse) in the “discussion forum” under the forum Three Marks of Existence Discourses, where one can ask any questions/ express opinions.
▪No question is too simple or too hard. We can find more details in other suttā or in Abhidhamma.
▪However, these discourses are not recommended for those who are not familiar with basic concepts in Buddha Dhamma. They might get discouraged. They may want to first get familiar with the basic concepts in “Moral Living and Fundamentals,” “Working Towards Good Rebirths,” and “Bhāvanā (Meditation)” sections.
▪In-Depth analysis at, “Origin of Life.”
February 3, 2018
Discourse 1 – Nicca, Sukha, Atta (Before understanding anicca, dukkha, anatta, it is necessary to understand the opposites).
WebLink: Desana 1 – Nicca, Sukha, Atta
WebLink: Desana 1 – Nicca, Sukha, Atta (Original - Larger file size)
Key Relevant Posts:
What is Kamma? – Is Everything Determined by Kamma?
Could Bodily Pain Be Due to Causes Other Than Kamma Vipāka?
Paṭicca Samuppāda – “Pati+ichcha”+”Sama+uppāda
Bhava and Bhavaṅga – Simply Explained!
February 10, 2018
Discourse 2 – Icca, Nicca, Anicca
WebLink: Desana 2 – Icca, Nicca, Anicca
WebLink: Desana 2 – Icca, Nicca, Anicca (Original - Larger file size)
Key Relevant Posts:
How to Cultivate the Anicca Saññā – II
Correct Meaning of Vacī Saṅkhāra
Viññāṇa – What It Really Means
What are rūpa? – Dhamma are rūpa too!
Details of Kamma – Intention, Who Is Affected, Kamma Patha
February 19, 2018
Discourse 3 – Distorted Perceptions or Saññā Vipallāsa
WebLink: Desana 3 – Distorted Perceptions or Saññā Vipallāsa
WebLink: Desana 3 – Distorted Perceptions or Saññā Vipallāsa (Original - Larger file size)
Key Relevant Posts:
Micchā Diṭṭhi, Gandhabba, and Sotāpanna Stage
February 27, 2018
Discourse 4 – Sakkāya Diṭṭhi – What is “a Person”?
WebLink: Desana 4 – Sakkāya Diṭṭhi – What is “a Person”?
WebLink: Desana 4 – Sakkāya Diṭṭhi – What is “a Person”? (Original - Larger file size)
Note: @34:00 minutes, I said, “Immoral deeds or dasa akusala are done with apuññābhisaṅkhāra or bad thoughts in our minds. Good deeds or kusala kamma are done with puññābhisaṅkhāra.”
▪That should be corrected as, “Immoral deeds or dasa akusala are done with apuññābhisaṅkhāra or bad thoughts in our minds. Good deeds (or puññābhisaṅkhāra) done with the comprehension of the Four Noble Truths/Paṭicca Samuppāda/Tilakkhaṇa become kusala kamma due to that understanding.”
▪See, “Kilesa – Relationship To Akusala, Kusala, And Puñña Kamma” for a detailed explanation.
What is “San”? Meaning of Sansāra (or Saṁsāra)
Key Relevant Posts:
What is “Saŋ”? Meaning of Sansāra (or Saṁsāra)
Bhūta and Yathābhūta – What Do They Really Mean
March 02, 2018
Discourse 5 – Tilakkhaṇa and Micchā Diṭṭhi
WebLink: Desana 5 – Tilakkhaṇa and Micchā Diṭṭhi
WebLink: Desana 5 – Tilakkhaṇa and Micchā Diṭṭhi (Original - Larger file size)
Key Relevant Posts:
Mahā Cattārisaka Sutta (Discourse on the Great Forty)
What are rūpa? – Dhammā are rūpa too!
Anidassana Viññāṇa – What It Really Means
Saṅkhāra – What It Really Means
Our Two Worlds: Material and Immaterial
Pabhassara Citta, Radiant Mind, and Bhavaṅga
This concludes the series of discourses on Tilakkhaṇa.