Term Papers on Impermanence, Selflessness, And Dissatisfaction

Term Paper Title	Impermanence, Selflessness, And Dissatisfaction
# of Words	1091
# of Pages (250 words per page double spaced)	4.36

Impermanence, Selflessness, and Dissatisfaction

        Buddhism is neither a religion nor a philosophy, but rather a way of
life.  This does not imply that Buddhism is nothing more than an ethical code:
it is a way of moral, spiritual and intellectual training leading to complete
freedom of the mind. (DeSilva, 1991:p 5).  Of the many Buddhist sects, Zen
Buddhism places particular emphasis on living ‘the right' life, and does not
revolve around rite and ritual.  Buddhism outlines the three characteristics of
existence, which aids one in achieving enlightenment.  Impermanence,
selflessness, and dissatisfaction are concepts that are easily understood on an
intellectual level, but to apply these concepts in one's life is challenging.
Impermanence is concerned with the thought that nothing remains static, and
change is to be expected.  Selflessness holds that there is no immortal soul or
external Self that exists in each individual; (Fadiman & Frager,1994:p 545)
selflessness is closely connected with impermanence.  Dissatisfaction is a
larger concept entir ely- it involves the acknowledgment that suffering exists.
The world is founded on suffering, (DeSilva, 1991:p 21) and once anything
becomes a problem there is bound to be suffering, unsatisfactoriness, or
conflict- conflict between our desires and the state of reality.
Dissatisfaction is the most difficult characteristic of existence to apply to
one's life, as it involves not only the acceptance of this state, but also
outlines one on how to treat and cure this state.
     The notion that the world is an ever-changing environment on all levels
of existence is not a radical idea.  In fact, those that have not yet accepted
change as a natural state of nature is denying the reality of life.  A being and
the empirical world are both constantly changing.  They come into being and pass
away.  All is in a whirl, nothing escapes this inexorable unceasing change, and
because of this transient nature nothing is really pleasant.  There is happiness,
but very momentary, it vanishes like a flake of snow, and brings about
unsatisfactoriness (DeSilva, 1991:p 29).  Both pleasant and unpleasant
conditions come and go, it is then the responsibility of the individual to deal
with each situation in the ‘right' way.  Understanding that there is no
universal truth, that thoughts and ideas evolve- leaves one open to improve and
grow- a goal of Buddhism.  The concept of impermanence is significant from a
psychological standpoint, as it encourages individuals to deal with situations
with more flexibility, as well as understanding.  Impermanence allows one to
possess a firm grip upon reality, knowing that there is an ever-changing
landscape, encouraging one not to take things for granted.
     Related to impermanence, is the concept of selflessness.  Selflessness
involves the knowledge that there is no immortal soul or eternal Self that
exists in each individual (Fadiman & Frager, 1994:p 545).  The so-called
individual is a collection of attributes, all of which are impermanent and
constantly changing.  According to the Buddha, the person is made up of five
basic factors- body, perception, sensation, consciousness, and mental activities.
(Fadiman & Frager, 1994:p 545)  Selflessness enables the individual to focus
upon the external with the understanding that ‘I' is not of significant priority.
In taking the importance away from the individual, it permits one to become
concerned with issues not related directly to the self.  The fact that the world
is constantly changing, and that one does not possess an immortal soul; allows
the stage to be set for dissatisfaction, as it encompasses a number of
principles.
     Dissatisfaction exists, it is not a foreign notion.  To this single
problem we give different names: econom...

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