Raphael Mizrahi 4C
1
Topic 2: The Dhamma (Dharma)
2.1 Introduction to the Dharma and The Doctrine of Not-Self
● The Dharma is the “combined teachings of the Buddha”
2.4 The Three Marks of Existence/Three Universal Truths
● this basic ignorance is the cause of all suffering
● to attain enlightenment and realise the unconditioned we need to dismantle our false ideas so
that we understand how things really are
● the entire Buddhist path is about freeing oneself from a distorted view of reality (which brings
suffering)
● the Buddhist teachings present these Three Marks in a detailed and systematic way
● the three marks are:
○ Anicca:the Impermanence of all things
○ Anatta: no self
○ Dukkha:the nature of all suffering
● all the Three Marks of Existence even though are listed as three distinct factors are linked
together
2.4.1 Anicca:the Impermanence of all things
● the Buddha found that everything in the world is impermanent and changing
● this implies that there is nothing whatsoever is permanent
● we could say that change (anicca) is a fact of life
2.4.2 Anatta: No-Self
● what we call an individual person according to Buddhist philosophy is a combination of
ever-changing physical and mental energies these can be divided into five groups called
“aggregates” or khandhas/skandhas
● the 5 are:
○ form
○ feeling
○ perception
Raphael Mizrahi 4C
1
, Raphael Mizrahi 4C
2
○ mental formations
○ conscientiousness
● together they make a person (they body and mind of a human being)
● the Buddha said the five aggregates cause dukkha (suffering)
● this is because each aggregate is a focus or object of our grasping
● in Buddhism grasping causes suffering (dukkha)
● the way the aggregates function then is that each one of us grasps at one or other of the
aggregates and identifies it it as “me” or “I” or “mine”
● the aggregates can be described using the analogy of heap of sand (because the heaps can
be combined to make a bigger heap which makes your experience and your life)
2.4.2.2.1 Form or Matter
● it is itself made up of the physical elements
● it includes our body, our sense organs, and the objects we perceive in the external world
2.4.2.2.2 Feeling or Sensation
● sensations felt through our sense organs
● they are either pleasant unpleasant or neutral
● in Buddhism there are six senses (unlike in modern life)
● sight, hearing,smell,taste, touch and mind (mind is not in modern life)
● the mind is considered as a sense organ
● each sense organ perceives only the sense objects related to it (eyes see things and don’t
smell)
● the object the mind perceives thoughts and feelings
2.4.2.2.3 Perceptions
● the ability to identify objects as mental or physical (eg. as a table rather than a chair)
● perceptions recognise, identify and classify and put sensory experience into words
2.4.2.2.4 Mental Formation
● it groups together 50 different mental factors and states
● the most significant covers willpower, intention or determination
Raphael Mizrahi 4C
2
1
Topic 2: The Dhamma (Dharma)
2.1 Introduction to the Dharma and The Doctrine of Not-Self
● The Dharma is the “combined teachings of the Buddha”
2.4 The Three Marks of Existence/Three Universal Truths
● this basic ignorance is the cause of all suffering
● to attain enlightenment and realise the unconditioned we need to dismantle our false ideas so
that we understand how things really are
● the entire Buddhist path is about freeing oneself from a distorted view of reality (which brings
suffering)
● the Buddhist teachings present these Three Marks in a detailed and systematic way
● the three marks are:
○ Anicca:the Impermanence of all things
○ Anatta: no self
○ Dukkha:the nature of all suffering
● all the Three Marks of Existence even though are listed as three distinct factors are linked
together
2.4.1 Anicca:the Impermanence of all things
● the Buddha found that everything in the world is impermanent and changing
● this implies that there is nothing whatsoever is permanent
● we could say that change (anicca) is a fact of life
2.4.2 Anatta: No-Self
● what we call an individual person according to Buddhist philosophy is a combination of
ever-changing physical and mental energies these can be divided into five groups called
“aggregates” or khandhas/skandhas
● the 5 are:
○ form
○ feeling
○ perception
Raphael Mizrahi 4C
1
, Raphael Mizrahi 4C
2
○ mental formations
○ conscientiousness
● together they make a person (they body and mind of a human being)
● the Buddha said the five aggregates cause dukkha (suffering)
● this is because each aggregate is a focus or object of our grasping
● in Buddhism grasping causes suffering (dukkha)
● the way the aggregates function then is that each one of us grasps at one or other of the
aggregates and identifies it it as “me” or “I” or “mine”
● the aggregates can be described using the analogy of heap of sand (because the heaps can
be combined to make a bigger heap which makes your experience and your life)
2.4.2.2.1 Form or Matter
● it is itself made up of the physical elements
● it includes our body, our sense organs, and the objects we perceive in the external world
2.4.2.2.2 Feeling or Sensation
● sensations felt through our sense organs
● they are either pleasant unpleasant or neutral
● in Buddhism there are six senses (unlike in modern life)
● sight, hearing,smell,taste, touch and mind (mind is not in modern life)
● the mind is considered as a sense organ
● each sense organ perceives only the sense objects related to it (eyes see things and don’t
smell)
● the object the mind perceives thoughts and feelings
2.4.2.2.3 Perceptions
● the ability to identify objects as mental or physical (eg. as a table rather than a chair)
● perceptions recognise, identify and classify and put sensory experience into words
2.4.2.2.4 Mental Formation
● it groups together 50 different mental factors and states
● the most significant covers willpower, intention or determination
Raphael Mizrahi 4C
2
