Buddhism - Marks of Existence and Human Personality

• Different Buddhist branches have different views about human nature and the ideal life
• The Five Aggregates (skandhas)


  • FORM
  • MENTAL FORMATIONS
  • SENSATION
  • PERCEPTION
  • CONSCIOUSNESS
• The Five Aggregates are the five layers of experience that make up the human personality
• The Five Aggregates are constantly changing, so the human personality is also constantly changing
• This links with the Buddhist view that there is no fixed self (anatta)
• In the Khandha Sutta, the Five Aggregates are described as "clinging aggregates" because Buddhists believe that humans cling to these five things and this leads to suffering
• Buddhists think we should try to detach ourselves from the Five Aggregates so that we can suffer less
• The Buddha taught that these aggregates are temporary, and it is the concept of 'self' only when we realise this will we end suffering and find enlightenment
• Mahayana Buddhists believe there's a potential Buddha Inside us
• Buddhists believe all humans have the potential to become enlightened-this is called Buddha-nature
• A human being who has become enlightened and is free of suffering has reached Buddhahood
• This is possible for all humans, but most don't achieve it because the road to Buddhahood is a lot of hard work
• The Six Perfections


  • Becoming generous, moral, patient, wise and energetic, and mastering meditation
• Bodhisattva


  Someone who has followed the Buddha's teachings and reached enlightenment, and chosen to stay on earth to help others reach the same destiny
• Pure Land Buddhists are a small group of Mahayana Buddhists who follow the teachings of Amitabha Buddha
• They believe that Amitabha Buddha was a king who reached Buddhahood and created a paradise land where people can be reborn and live good lives
• The Pure Land Buddhist ideal goal is to be born in Pure Land so they can become enlightened in this life rather than having to go through many rebirths
• Arhat


  Someone in Theravada Buddhism who has followed the Buddha's teachings and reached enlightenment, and no longer suffers because they have come to understand the truth about life and found peace
• An arhat will not be reborn because they are free from the cycle of rebirth
• Becoming an arhat is the ideal goal for Theravada Buddhists
• The Three Marks of Existence are: Anicca (impermanence), Dukkha (suffering), and Anatta (no-self)
• Buddhists believe that humans should learn about the Three Marks of Existence so they can suffer less
• Humans are constantly attaching themselves to physical and emotional things, and this leads to suffering
• Understanding the Three Marks of Existence will lead to less suffering, as you'll realise that relationships and things are impermanent and cannot last forever
• Bodhisattva


  A person who has achieved enlightenment but chooses to stay on earth to help others reach the same destiny, embodying the ideals of compassion and selflessness