The Unsurpassed Value of Impermanence

Birth and death are realities of life. Regardless of who we are, we cannot escape either one. While birth is celebrated, death is feared by most. In order to cope with our fear, we often seek comfort in religion. 

Although each of the world’s major religious traditions has its own teaching concerning death, Buddhism is the only one that promotes the doctrine of impermanence as one of the universal truths. However, it is a truth that is not embraced by all. The majority of people chose to ignore or refute it, due to a lack of understanding or insight. As a result, impermanence has become a forbidden word in everyday living. According to the Buddha’s teaching, impermanence is, in fact, a good phenomenon.

Because of impermanence, there can be hope in the future.
Because of impermanence, there can be happiness without suffering.

Imagine a world without change, where everything stays the same forever. Do we really want to live in that kind of a world? If the answer is no, then we should value the Buddhist doctrine of impermanence. However, we must understand that the outcome of change can be either good or bad, depending on the causes and conditions at hand.

When we have a complete understanding of impermanence, we will learn to treasure the value of our lives, our possessions, and friendships.

When we witness a seed turning into a tall tree, we will come to appreciate the significance of change.

On the other hand, when we see a flower withering as the seasons change, we will experience the downside of impermanence. Through impermanence, everything is possible. The negative can be transformed into the positive, and the positive turned into the negative. With hard work, the poor can become rich, the unenlightened enlightened. Without change, democracy would never be able to overthrow dictatorship; civilization could never have replaced barbarism. Because of impermanence, we do not have everlasting fame, fortune, or good health. Therefore, it is not wise to become too attached to our possessions. We should instead be aware of the truth in impermanence, and in our endeavors seize the moment .

Impermanence is a universal Law of Nature in addition to being a doctrine of Buddhism. Classical writers have long expressed their reflections on impermanence in their prose and poetry. “Where the grass and weeds grow idly, the soldiers and war horses once roamed. As the wind blows and the water flows, where did the heroes go?” Although impermanence, suffering, and emptiness are facts of life, by preparing the mind for enlightenment and the ultimate realization of the truth, they can be transcended. As long as we are strong in our resolve to reach the final stage of cultivation—nirvana—we will be able to overcome change and find the path to true freedom without attachments.

More Featured Articles

If we want to understand what the Dharma teaches us about building affinity and living in harmony with others, we must first understand the four great all-embracing virtues. The Buddha teaches that for us to realize our true capacity of connecting with and serving our fellow citizens, we have to Read more
Most of us have an idea of what constitutes the space outside us; it is the environment in which we live. This includes the house we live in, the city we live in, or even the world we live in. Just as we need to skillfully manage our relationship to Read more
“True Dharma” means those teachings which are right, correct, and do not deviate from the Middle Way.The word “Dharma” has several different meanings. One meaningof “dharma” is “phenomena.” In this sense, “dharma” includes phenomena as large as the universe and as small as a mustard seed. “Dharma” also refers to Read more
If your mind is in balance, what need is there to work at morality? If your behavior is correct, what use is meditation to you? If you understand mercy, then you will naturally care for your parents. If you understand faithful conduct, then all of society will be in order.—Platform Read more
Human beings are social animals; we cannot live apart from community. As Buddhists, we are told to seek the Dharma among the people, for the Dharma does not exist in some other world or far away place; the Dharma is here among us, embodied in each and every being. When Read more
If we want to understand what the Dharma teaches us about building affinity and living in harmony with others, we must first understand the four great all-embracing virtues. The Buddha teaches that for us to realize our true capacity of connecting with and serving our fellow citizens, we have to Read more
Compassion is the father, the bodhi mind the mother. Good methods are like friends because they save all sentient beings. — Great Collection of True Dharmas Sutra Compassion Is the Father Compassion removes suffering and creates joy. The sutra says, “The power of the Dharma is beyond expression. Nothing can Read more
People often ask me, “What ad­versity have you experienced in your life?” And for a moment, I can­not come up with an answer. I have always maintained the attitude of taking things as they come, as in the sayings “When the soldiers come, de­ploy the generals to fight back; when Read more
The Sumati Sutra discusses fulfilling both worldly and supramundane needs. Sumati’s first three questions are regarding obtaining an elegant appearance, obtaining wealth, and keeping a harmonious family life—all of these are concerned with success in this life. Being satisfied in this way ensures that a bodhisattva will not be hindered, Read more
It is only through loving-kindness and compassion that we can find room in our hearts to forgive others. It is only through our willingness to let go of resentment that we can find a way to magnanimity.  Read more
As we live, we must strive for a life of value. Buddhism is different from philosophy, for it does not only deal with knowledge and theory. Rather, Buddhism calls for devout faith, developed morality, and most importantly: spiritual practice.All we need is the right intention to begin any form of Read more
Greed is a basic disease of all sentient beings. In our realm, the desire realm (kamadhatu), the force and effects of greed can be felt especially strongly. Greed is based on ignorance and cannot function without it. The fundamental ignorance that enables greed to function is the belief in a Read more