134. The Three Characteristics of Existence

AN 3:134 The Three Characteristics of Existence

Translated from the Pali by Nyanaponika Thera and Bhikkhu Bodhi

Whether Tathagatas arise in the world or not, it still remains a fact, a firm and necessary condition of existence, that all formations are impermanent … that all formations are subject to suffering … that all things are non-self.

A Tathagata fully awakens to this fact and penetrates it. Having fully awakened to it and penetrated it, he announces it, teaches it, makes it known, presents it, discloses it, analyses it and explains it: that all formations are impermanent, that all formations are subject to suffering, that all things are non-self.