The 3 Marks of Existence

So much thoughts, so much to write. Where do I start.... Let's just start at why I named my first blog what I named my first blog.

Dhukha, Anitya, Anatman... the 3 marks of existence in the Buddhist tradition. So what do they actually mean?

Dhukha: craving, dissatisfaction, desire, suffering—this is the first mark of existence.

Anitya: impermanence, ever-changing-ness—this is the second mark of existence.

Anatman: no Self-ness, negation of the idea of Self—this is the third mark of existence.

In the Buddhist and Hindu tradition, there are different types of Wisdom. The 3 of which that are of more importance are:

1. Sruta-mayi-prajna: Wisdom based on that which is heard (Sruti-hearing)
2. Cinta-mayi-prajna: Wisdom based on reason (Cinta- reflection/thinking)
3. Bhavana-mayi-prajna: Wisdom based on practice and/or experience (Bhavana-cultivation/practice)

Of the 3 types of Wisdom stated here, that which is the most "authoritative" and thus most important is (3) Bhavana-mayi-prajna.

Over the 23 years I have been in existence, I have experienced many things. Experiences are fundamental aspects of being in existence. I must say, I have been blessed over the years with all 3 ways/types of Wisdom. For the people who know me well, they must agree with me that I have been blessed the most with Bhavana-mayi-prajna—practical Wisdom, cultivated through experiences in my life. My godfather once said to me after a very trying year that he asks for nothing else for me except that God blesses me more with theoretical knowledge and wisdom rather than having to learn through practice. I laughed… because this year, he told me again that I am truly a sucker for pain…

I consider myself more blessed than cursed in that way because the very point of existence as it is in the Buddhist tradition as I have mentioned above, are those 3 marks of Dhukha, Anitya, and Anatman. All 3 of which I must say I have experienced… What better and greater Wisdom can I be blessed with having to carry Dhukha, experiencing Anitya, and realizing Anatman. I will continue to elaborate what I mean in the next few entries of this blog…

Stay Tuned!!!!!