Anattalakkhaṇa Sutta · Vinaya Vol. 4 · Item 20 · Second Discourse
✨ Three Marks of Existence
Tilakkhaṇa · ไตรลักษณ์ · Universal Characteristics
Three universal characteristics inherent in all conditioned phenomena without exception. Seeing them clearly with direct insight (vipassanā) leads to disenchantment, dispassion, and liberation.
All conditioned things are impermanent — they arise, change, and pass away. No phenomenon lasts forever.
Even pleasurable experiences, relationships, and states of mind are impermanent. The insight into anicca dissolves the attachment that fuels craving.
"Sabbe saṅkhārā aniccā — All conditioned things are impermanent."
Dhp 277 / AN 3.136
All conditioned things are unsatisfactory — unable to provide lasting peace or fulfillment.
Dukkha spans three levels: (1) ordinary suffering of pain and loss, (2) suffering due to change (pleasant feelings ending), (3) the pervasive unsatisfactoriness of conditioned existence itself.
"Sabbe saṅkhārā dukkhā — All conditioned things are unsatisfactory."
Dhp 278 / SN 22.59
All phenomena are non-self — no conditioned thing constitutes or belongs to a permanent, independent self.
The five aggregates (rūpa, vedanā, saññā, saṅkhāra, viññāṇa) are each not-self: they cannot be commanded to be as one wishes, they arise from conditions, not from an autonomous self.
"Sabbe dhammā anattā — All phenomena are non-self."
Dhp 279 / Vin 4/20
Why Understanding the Three Marks Leads to Liberation
The Pali Canon describes a three-stage insight process:
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Three Marks of Existence?
The Three Marks (Tilakkhaṇa) are universal characteristics of all conditioned phenomena: anicca (impermanence), dukkha (unsatisfactoriness), and anattā (non-self). All three apply to all conditioned things without exception.
Where are the Three Marks taught in the Pali Canon?
Most explicitly in the Anattalakkhaṇa Sutta (Vinaya Vol. 4, item 20) — the Buddha's Second Discourse. Also in Dhammapada verses 277–279: "Sabbe saṅkhārā aniccā... sabbe saṅkhārā dukkhā... sabbe dhammā anattā."
What is the difference between dukkha as a Mark and everyday suffering?
Dukkha as a Mark (saṅkhāra-dukkha) is broader — the inherent unsatisfactoriness of all conditioned existence, even pleasant experiences. Everyday suffering (dukkha-dukkha) is just pain and grief. Even pleasant feelings are dukkha because they are impermanent and cannot provide permanent fulfillment.