THE THREE CHARACTERISTICS OF EXISTENCE

  All formations are "transient"; all formations are "subject to

suffering"; all things are "without an Ego-entity." Corporeality is

transient, feeling is transient, perception is transient, mental

formations are transient, consciousness is transient.

  And that which is transient, is subject to suffering; and of that

which is transient, and subject to suffering and change, one cannot

rightly say: "This belongs to me; this am I; this is my Ego."

  Therefore, whatever there be of corporeality, of feeling,

perception, mental formations, or consciousness, whether one's own

or external, whether gross or subtle, lofty or low, far or near, one

should understand, according to reality, and true wisdom: "This does

not belong to me; this am I not; this is not my Ego."

  Suppose, a man who is not blind, were to behold the many bubbles

on the Ganges as they are driving along; and he should watch them, and

carefully examine them. After carefully examining them, they will

appear to him empty, unreal, and unsubstantial. In exactly the same

way, does the monk behold all the corporeal phenomena, feelings,

perceptions, mental formations, and states of consciousness-whether

they be of the past, or the present, or the future, far, or near.

And he watches them, and examines them carefully; and, after carefully

examining them, they appear to him empty, void, and without an Ego

  Whoso delights in corporeality, or feeling, or perception, or mental

formations, or consciousness, he delights in suffering; and whoso

delights in suffering, will not be freed from suffering. Thus I say

          How can you find delight and mirth,

          Where there is burning without end?

          In deepest darkness you are wrapped!

          Why do you not seek for the light?

          Look at this puppet here, well rigged,

          A heap of many sores, piled up,

          Diseased, and full of greediness,

          Unstable, and impermanent!

          Devoured by old age is this frame,

          A prey of sickness, weak and frail;

          To pieces breaks this putrid body,

          All life must truly end in death.