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.