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Vandāmi cetiyaṃ sabbaṃ, sabbaṭṭhānesu patiṭṭhitaṃ. Ye ca dantā atītā ca, ye ca dantā anāgatā, paccuppannā ca ye dantā, sabbe vandāmi te ahaṃ.

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Saturday, July 19, 2025

"Sabbasaṅkhāresu aniccasaññā"

 The perception of impermanence in all conditioned things-



We must maintain the perception that all conditioned phenomena (saṅkhāra) are impermanent.

What are these saṅkhāras?
- Our own self is saṅkhāra
- Everything within our mental and physical continuum is saṅkhāra
- All possessions are saṅkhāra
- Everything seen through eyes is saṅkhāra
- Everything heard through ears is saṅkhāra
- Everything smelled through nose, tasted through tongue, felt through body - all are saṅkhāra
- Nothing is permanent

All conditioned phenomena end in dissolution:
- Youth ends in aging
- Health ends in sickness
- Life ends in death

Everything has an end.

If we frequently contemplate that nothing is permanent, we won't become attached to anything. Otherwise, people tend to be overly attached to their:
- Fine clothes (not wanting to wear them)
- Precious possessions (not wanting to use them)
- Personal belongings (being overly protective)

Therefore, understanding impermanence, we should:
- Use what should be used
- Eat what should be eaten
- Give what should be given
- Perform wholesome deeds

This is why the Buddha taught us to contemplate "Sabbasaṅkhāresu aniccasaññā" - the perception that all conditioned things are impermanent.

By maintaining this contemplation, when we encounter impermanence, we won't become depressed. The Buddha encouraged this advance contemplation as a preparation for life's inevitable changes. This should be taken to heart.