The Seal of the Three
Laws and the Fourth Law
In the fundamental teachings of Buddhism, “All things are impermanent”,
“Nothing has an ego”, and
“Nirvana is quiescence”.
(1) “All things are Impermanent”
Modern science has proved that
the sun, which seems to shine in the sky without changing, is actually changing
every moment. We think that there is no change between ourselves of yesterday
and ourselves of today, but the fact is that the cells of the human body are
constantly dying and being born, so that all the cells of the body are replaced
every seven years. Each cell of our body is changing continuously, though we
are not aware of it.
Everyone knows from experience
how the suffering, sorrow, joy, or pleasure that we feel can change in an
instant. Simply because such a state of constant change bears witness to the
teaching that “All things are
Impermanent.” However, it would be
a fundamental error to think that the Buddha's teaching suggests that we take
things as they are in this transient and unreliable existence. The law that all things are impermanent is
the teaching that we should be aware of the changing nature of all things and
should not be surprised at or shaken by trifling changes in phenomena or
circumstances.
(2) “Nothing Has an Ego”
The law that “Nothing Has an Ego” is the teaching
that all things in this world, without exception, are related to one another.
There is nothing that leads an isolated existence that is wholly separated from
other things.
When we consider that the tiny
insects, birds flying high in the sky, and even the pine trees growing on a
distant hill, are all part of the same matter at the beginning of time on earth
billions of years ago, we realize that these creatures are permeated by the
same life energy that gives us life. The same applies to earth, stone, clouds,
and air.
When we turn our attention to
the present and consider our own existence, we know that we are given life by
earth and stone, and that we are obligated even to insects and birds. For
example, if there were no clouds in the sky, we would have no rain; if there
was no rain, no plants would grow, if there were no plants, we would have no
food nor would the plants produce oxygen; and if there were no air, we could not
live for even a few minutes. Without exception, we have some invisible
relationship even with those things that seem externally to have no connection
with us.
To take a familiar example,
even if our human bodies and minerals, such as iron, seem to be quite
different, most of the body actually consists of water containing minerals; we
live by the grace of such minerals as salt, calcium, iron, and copper. This
fact demonstrates how things exist in connection with one another and are
interdependent.
It goes without saying that we
have a much closer and stronger relationship to other human beings. We are
inseparably bound up with one another, and we all exist through being permeated
by the same life-energy. In spite of
this, opposition, dispute, struggle, and killing cause each of us to be swayed
by our ego and to live selfishly for his personal profit alone. This is the
important reason why we must realize the truth that “Nothing Has an Ego.”
(3) “Nirvana is Quiescence”
The law “Nirvana is Quiescence” teaches us that we can completely
extinguish all the sufferings of human life and obtain peace and quietude when
we destroy all illusions. How can we reach this state? The only way is to
realize the two laws “All Things are
Impermanent” and “Nothing Has an
Ego.”
The reason we worry about
various kinds of sufferings is that we forget that all phenomena in this world
are impermanent, that al1 things continuously change according to the law of
cause and effect; we are deluded by phenomena and influenced by considerations
of immediate gain or loss. If we study the way to buddhahood and by practicing
it realize the truth of the impermanence of all things, we become able to
attain a state of peace and quietude in which we can never be swayed by
shifting circumstances. This is the state of “Nirvana is Quiescence.”
We sometimes feel troubled by
shortages of goods, setbacks in business, or personal conflicts and disputes.
This is because we lack harmony with others and inanimate things. Why are we not in harmony with one another?
This is because either we do not realize the truth that nothing has an ego or
we have forgotten this truth.
We can attain harmony with
others spontaneously when we remember the truth that all things and all men are
permeated by one great life energy, and that all things are invisibly
interconnected, and when we make the best use of this interconnection by
abandoning the idea of ego, that is, by enhancing this interconnection to
benefit both ourselves and others. When in harmony with others, we can give up
excess and deficiency, struggle and friction, and can maintain peaceful minds.
This is the state expressed in the law “Nirvana
is Quiescence.” It is an ideal state that can be only attained by realizing
the other two laws, “All things are
Impermanent” and “Nothing has an
Ego.”
(4) The Seal of Four Laws
The Fourth Laws is: “All Existence is Suffering.” This Law
teaches us that all is suffering if we do not realize the Law of “All Things are Impermanent” and “Nothing Has an Ego.”
Following is a brief
explanation of the three great truths known as the “Seal of the Three Laws” to help the reader gain a better
understanding of true Buddhism and thus the ability to lead a better daily
life.
The Seal of the Three Laws and the Four Laws
“All Things are Impermanent.”
All phenomena of this world is always
changing
“Nothing has an Ego.”
All things in this world, without
exception, are related to one another. There
is nothing that leads an isolated
existence (that is self ego).
“Nirvana is Quiescence.”
An ideal state of mind and body that
completely extinguish all the sufferings
of human life and obtain peace and
quietude.
“All Existence is Suffering.”
If laws are forgotten, Suffering is
the outcome.