In Buddhism, these are known as the Tilakkhana (The Three Marks of Existence). They are the lens through which the Buddha viewed every single thing in the universe—from the smallest atom to the vastest galaxy.

​By condensing the entire universe into these three words, the Buddha provided a "universal law" that explains why we suffer and how we can find peace.

​1. Anicca (Impermanence)

​Everything is in a state of flux. Nothing stays the same for even two consecutive moments.

  • ​The Reality: Whether it is a mountain, a physical body, or a passing thought, it is constantly arising and passing away.
  • ​The Lesson: Resistance to change is the root of our frustration. When we understand Anicca, we learn to let go of clinging to things that are naturally bound to change.

​2. Dukkha (Suffering/Unsatisfactoriness)

​Because things are impermanent, they cannot provide lasting satisfaction.

  • ​The Reality: This doesn't just mean extreme pain; it refers to a subtle sense of "off-kilter" or "imperfection." Even a happy moment is Dukkha in a sense, because it will eventually end.
  • ​The Lesson: We suffer not because life is "bad," but because we try to find permanent happiness in impermanent things.

​3. Anatta (Non-Self/Insubstantiality)

​There is no permanent, unchanging "soul" or "self" at the core of any phenomenon.

  • ​The Reality: Everything is a collection of changing parts and conditions (like the 24 conditions of the Patthana!). If you take away the parts, there is no "essence" left behind.
  • ​The Lesson: Understanding Anatta helps us dissolve the ego, which is the ultimate source of greed and hatred.

​Why the Buddha summarized the universe in these 3 words

​The Buddha used these three words because they act as a spiritual diagnostic tool.

  1. ​Clarity: It strips away the illusions of the world. We often see things as permanent, happy, and "mine." The Buddha shows they are actually impermanent, unsatisfactory, and "not-self."
  2. ​The Path to Liberation: By seeing these three marks clearly, the mind naturally becomes disenchanted with worldly attachments.
  3. ​Universality: These laws apply to everyone and everything, regardless of religion, time, or place. It is a scientific observation of the nature of reality.