The Art of Impermanence

[pgdharma]

The destruction of the Sand Mandala signifies the Buddhist belief in impermanence of life. Change happens to everyone. Impermanence lies in everything that happens around us. Since we cannot escape from impermanence, it is meaningless to cling or attach to anything. As Buddhists, it is a key for us to understand and meditate on impermanence. Even a beautiful flower will fade away in due course. Our life is just a few years and most of us spend all our lives chasing after material things for temporal happiness that we have to eventually leave behind at the time of death.

The Sutra of Condensed Dharma says, “All compounded phenomena are impermanent, like water bubbles that never last; therefore, one should perform virtuous deeds and benefit this and future lives.” As Buddhists, we should not pray to the Buddha only for health, wealth, family, harmony or power. We should practice Dharma for this life and future lives, for the benefits of oneself and others.

[Tracy]

Nothing stays permanently, even a building will wear off as time passes, it doesn't stay the same. Knowing nothing stays the same, it actually gives us hope. We may have failed, we may be in a difficult situation, we may feel down, but we should still feel hopeful because nothing stays the same. But it is important that we work hard, transform ourselves to make things better.

Our sufferings come from our ignorance thinking that things stay the same forever. Therefore, when things change, we are not happy, we are upset. We have to learn to accept nothing stays the same forever. But it does not mean we don't have to be sincere with people.

Knowing that things do not stay the same, we also accept that death can come to us at any time. When we die, we cannot bring anything with us except our karma. Therefore, when we have found a guru, we should make use of the opportunity to purify as much karma as possible and also to collect merits.   

[Drolma]

This is what Buddhists always say, "impermanence". Impermanence might sound very negative, it can actually demotivate people because if everything is impermanent, why work so hard? But this is the wrong way of thinking.

When Buddha said everything is impermanence, he was telling us not to be attached to things. When we are attached to things we will be disappointed and we will suffer when the things are not the same anymore or when we lose them. Buddha was not negative, he merely told us the truth.

Instead of working hard for something that will not last and will create sufferings to us, Buddha showed us there are better things we can put our heart and soul in and get the best out of it. We should work to develop good qualities such as compassion, kindness, generosity, etc. Bring benefit to people and don't be self-indulged. If we can do that, we will be able to find real happiness.

[Tracy]

This is what Buddhists always say, "impermanence". Impermanence might sound very negative, it can actually demotivate people because if everything is impermanent, why work so hard? But this is the wrong way of thinking.

When Buddha said everything is impermanence, he was telling us not to be attached to things. When we are attached to things we will be disappointed and we will suffer when the things are not the same anymore or when we lose them. Buddha was not negative, he merely told us the truth.

Instead of working hard for something that will not last and will create sufferings to us, Buddha showed us there are better things we can put our heart and soul in and get the best out of it. We should work to develop good qualities such as compassion, kindness, generosity, etc. Bring benefit to people and don't be self-indulged. If we can do that, we will be able to find real happiness.

Impermanence is actually a piece of good news. It means if we are suffering, we will not suffer forever; if we are not happy, we will not be unhappy forever. However, it also means all the good things we have or enjoy now are not permanent as well.

What we have to learn is how to deal with impermanence. When we have something good, we should cherish it, knowing it will not last forever. When we lose the things we love dearly, we will feel sad but we also have to learn to let go.

When we are down or having an unpleasant experience, we should not give up and run away from the situation. We should overcome it, contemplate what is wrong and how to solve it. When we find a way to solve the problem,   it will give us the confidence to deal with other challenges we may encounter in the future. So in fact, impermanence is something very positive.

[SabS]

Yes, I do agree that impermanence can be good as then all things bad has an ending. It would allow people who understand to learn to let go and to focus on creating good experiences. As such, practitioners will learn to live in the "now" rather than dwell in the past or the future which is yet a reality. In doing so, we will be able to love others more and be kinder to others which in turn will make us that much more happier. Yes, impermanence does help us very much to live a better and happier life.

[Tracy]

Yes, I do agree that impermanence can be good as then all things bad has an ending. It would allow people who understand to learn to let go and to focus on creating good experiences. As such, practitioners will learn to live in the "now" rather than dwell in the past or the future which is yet a reality. In doing so, we will be able to love others more and be kinder to others which in turn will make us that much more happier. Yes, impermanence does help us very much to live a better and happier life.

We can see impermanence positively, whatever bad experience will come to an end, good things will follow. When we are experiencing good things, we have to be aware that it will also pass. We should not put too much focus on the good and bad experiences we have, experience it and let the feeling go.

When we truly understand things are impermanence, it will be easier for us to move on with our lives. Our emotions will not be affected badly by the experience we are going through. No matter what happens in our lives, we have to be kind and compassionate always.

When we stop hanging on to feelings, things, and people, we are practising to detach. This is important because it is the attachment that makes us stay in Samsara.