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Lesson 4 of 15
- AQA
The three marks of existence
I can explain the three marks of existence and how they influence Buddhists today.
Lesson 4 of 15
New
New
- AQA
The three marks of existence
I can explain the three marks of existence and how they influence Buddhists today.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- These are three fundamental marks (or signs) of reality, sometimes also called the Three Universal Truths.
- Anicca reminds Buddhists that nothing is fixed or stable.
- Buddhism teaches that a person's feelings, beliefs and character, even their soul, changes.
- The story of Nagasena and the Chariot is used to explain the idea of having ‘no self’.
- The impermanence of existence (anicca) means that pleasant experiences do not last.
Keywords
Anicca - a belief that nothing is permanent
Anatta - a belief that there is no fixed self/no soul
Dukkha - a belief that all life includes suffering and unsatisfactoriness
Common misconception
The three marks of existence, in particular dukkha, only describe negative aspects of life.
The three marks of existence are meant to help Buddhists understand life so they can live more freely and peacefully by accepting change, letting go of attachments and thereby reducing suffering.
Sensistive content: this lesson makes reference to the lack of a permanent self (anatta) and suffering (dukkha), which could raise questions or discussions around death.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.The concept of dependent arising means the belief that everything is .
The concept of dependent arising means the belief that everything is .
Q2.The Tibetan Wheel of Life represents the cycle of .
The Tibetan Wheel of Life represents the cycle of .
Q3.The are links explaining the causes of suffering.
The are links explaining the causes of suffering.
Q4.Dependent arising is often compared to a __________ effect to show how one event leads to another.
Dependent arising is often compared to a __________ effect to show how one event leads to another.
waterfall
butterfly
Q5.How many links make up the Tibetan Wheel of Life?
How many links make up the Tibetan Wheel of Life?
3
6
9
Q6.The teachings on dependent arising influence Buddhists to be kind and .
The teachings on dependent arising influence Buddhists to be kind and .
Assessment exit quiz
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5 Questions
Q1.What does the term ‘dukkha’ mean in Buddhism?
What does the term ‘dukkha’ mean in Buddhism?
the idea that nothing is permanent
the belief that there is no fixed self
the idea that meditation is unnecessary
Q2.Which Buddhist story is often used to illustrate the concept of anicca?
Which Buddhist story is often used to illustrate the concept of anicca?
The story of Prince Siddhartha’s enlightenment
The story of the Four Noble Truths
The story of Nagasena and the Chariot
Q3.How does the concept of anatta challenge common beliefs about the self?
How does the concept of anatta challenge common beliefs about the self?
it teaches that the self is permanent and unchanging
it teaches that each person has an immortal soul
it teaches that the self is created by external forces
Q4.The Buddhist belief that nothing is permanent is known as .
The Buddhist belief that nothing is permanent is known as .
Q5.The story of Nagasena and the Chariot is used to explain the Buddhist concept of .
The story of Nagasena and the Chariot is used to explain the Buddhist concept of .