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Gautama Buddha taught that there were "Three Characteristics of Being". The first of these characteristics was that "All constituents of Being were transitory", meaning that since Creation and this local universe are always evolving, then change and impermanence are constants. Everything goes through transitions, cyclic growth, and seasons of life. People and physical objects come and go when one was enmeshed in "Samsara", the constant recycling of life energy due to residual karma. The second of these characteristics was that "All constituents of Being are lacking in Ego", meaning that the Buddha recognized the difference between the soul or spiritual Self and the personality, the personal self’s dharmic dance during a particular lifetime.
One must detach, let go of
fleeting pleasures, personal property, emotional attachments and cords and
chords that generate memories of intense emotions.
Like a serviceable set of clothes, one's biochemical shell, one's circumstances, surroundings and possessions during any given lifetime have a certain timeframe of durability or usefulness before they wear out and become entrophic and need to be replaced by a new set of clothing to be used by one's spiritual Self during its next incarnation. The third of these characteristics was that "All constituents of Being are painful until..." meaning that the continual cycle of cravings, yearnings, and desires can never bring happiness or peace. Until one raises consciousness to a higher, more peaceful state of Being, which has been called "Enlightenment" by many, one will continue to experience pain and suffering.
Buddhists believe that one
can attain Nirvana and freedom from suffering and the cycles of rebirth by
following the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. When one's spiritual
Self resonates with Bodhisattva compassion, "Enlightenment" of the "Three
Characteristics of Being" ensues.
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