Buddhists believe that there are three characteristics that are common across everything in life. These are known as the Three Marks of Existence. The Three Marks of Existence are important as they can help Buddhists to achieve Nibbana and end suffering. 

They are called Dukkha, Anatta and Anicca.

• Dukkha = suffering/dissatisfaction

• Anicca = impermanence (nothing lasts for ever)

• Anatta = no-soul (no fixed sense of self because everything is constantly changing)

1. Dukkha – Suffering

• Life includes suffering.

• Everything changes, but people want things to stay the same.

• Because of this, we feel pain, sadness, worry, and disappointment.

• Suffering is not just physical pain. It can also be feeling upset, anxious, angry, or frustrated.

• The Buddha taught that all living beings experience suffering.

• Understanding suffering is the first step to ending it.

2. Samudaya – The Cause of Suffering

• The cause of suffering is craving (wanting).

• We always want things: food, possessions, success, love, and more.

• Even when we get what we want, we soon want more.

• This cycle of craving keeps us unhappy.

• Buddhists believe craving also keeps us stuck in rebirth (being born again into a new life with suffering).

• To stop suffering, we must understand and reduce our cravings.

• Buddhists use meditation and self-reflection to see clearly that nothing lasts forever.

3. Nirodha – The End of Suffering

• Buddhists believe it is possible to end suffering.

• If we stop craving, we can be free.

• This freedom is called Nirvana.

• Nirvana means no more rebirth, no more craving, and no more suffering.

• One way Buddhists move towards this is through mindfulness (paying attention to the present moment without judgment).

4. Magga – The Path to End Suffering

• To end craving and suffering, Buddhists follow the Noble Eightfold Path.

• The path is like a set of instructions.

• It shows Buddhists how to live wisely, behave kindly, and train the mind.

• The path is divided into three parts:
  
  

  1. Wisdom – understanding life and thinking in the right way.

  2. Ethical conduct – doing the right actions and speaking kindly.

  3. Mental discipline – training the mind through meditation.
     
     

Following the Noble Eightfold Path is hard work, but it leads to happiness and enlightenment (freedom from suffering).

Three Root Poisons

• Greed (rooster) – wanting more.

• Ignorance (pig) – not understanding reality.

• Hatred (snake) – anger and ill will.

Greed

• Greed means always wanting more, thinking things will make us truly happy, but never feeling satisfied.

• It can show up as wanting fancy things or high status to impress other people.

• On a bigger scale, greed can cause problems like wars, damage to the environment, and higher food prices.

• In Buddhism, generosity—sharing with others—is the opposite of greed and helps to overcome it.

Hatred

• Hatred comes from ignorance and can grow into anger and conflict.

• It can show up as hurtful words or actions toward others because of differences like race or religion.

• In Buddhism, love and kindness are seen as the cure for hatred.

Ignorance

• Ignorance means not understanding the truth about how things really are, often because our emotions and urges get in the way.

• It can lead to confusion and believing things that aren't true, like conspiracy theories.

• Ignorance can also make us feel disconnected from others, which can lead to fear and hatred.

• In Buddhism, wisdom—seeing clearly and understanding deeply—is the cure for ignorance.

• Buddha was not a god but an enlightened teacher (Siddhartha Gautama).

• Born a prince; saw suffering for the first time (Four Sights).

• Tried extreme self-denial (asceticism) but found the Middle Way.

• Gained enlightenment through meditation.

• Taught the Four Noble Truths.

• Seen as a role model for Buddhists.

• All actions have consequences.

• Skilful actions bring happiness; unskilful actions bring suffering.

• Examples:
  
  

  • Skilful → kindness, generosity.

  • Unskilful → unkindness, selfishness.

• The endless cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.

• Rebirth depends on one’s kamma (actions).

• Six realms of rebirth- 

  1. • Human Realm 

     • Realm of the Hungry Ghosts 

     • Animal Realm 

     • Deva (gods) Realm 

     • Ashura (demi-gods)            

     • Realm 

     • Hell Realm 

• Human realm is best for reaching enlightenment.

• The cycle of samsara is illustrated by the Wheel of Life. This is a symbolic representation of the way things really are for unenlightened beings, the way it is for current existence.  

• Nibbana (or Nirvana) is the ultimate goal of all Buddhists, and it can only be achieved through enlightenment. It is a state of complete freedom from suffering, where all desires and attachments have been extinguished. Nibbana is often described as the blowing out of the fires of the Three Root Poisons: greed, hatred, and ignorance. It is the end of the cycle of rebirth and the attainment of a state of supreme joy.

• Unlike heaven or other physical realms, Nibbana is not a place, but a state of mind. It represents ultimate peace, bliss, and liberation.

• However, Nibbana is difficult to define or comprehend, as it is a condition where nothing happens, moves, changes, or becomes. This concept is exemplified in the story of the fish and the turtle, where the fish argues with his friend, the turtle, that there is no such thing as dry land, as he cannot perceive it with his worldly knowledge. This is similar to the human understanding of Nibbana, which can only be attained through enlightenment and the practice of the Buddha's teachings.

1. Right view – understanding that actions have consequences.

2. Right intention – commitment to the path.

3. Right speech – speaking truthfully and kindly.

4. Right action – behaving ethically and avoiding harm.

5. Right livelihood – earning a living without harm.

6. Right effort – developing positive states of mind.

7. Right mindfulness – being aware and present.

8. Right concentration – developing focus through meditation. 

1. Do not kill (respect all life).

2. Do not steal.

3. Avoid misuse of the senses (e.g., adultery).

4. Do not lie or gossip.

5. Avoid intoxicants (alcohol/drugs).

Meditation – key practice to develop calm, wisdom, and compassion.

• • Samatha – calming meditation (mindfulness of breath).

  • Vipassana – insight meditation (seeing reality clearly).
    
    

Puja – showing respect and gratitude to the Buddha.

• • Done at home or in temples.

  • Practices include chanting, mantras, bowing, offerings, and meditation.

  • Offerings (like flowers and candles) remind Buddhists of impermanence and wisdom.