Sunday, May 12, 2019

Impermanence And Two Solutions

Impermanence is an observable fact. It is obvious that things change and are impermanent. They do not last.

Observations from the Bible:
Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Surely a man goes about as a shadow! Surely for nothing they are in turmoil; man heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather! (Psalm 39:5-6 ESV)
As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. (Psalm 103:15-16 ESV)

But the Bible often contrast the impermanence of creation with the permanence of God.
The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. (Isaiah 40:8 ESV)
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. (Matthew 24:35 ESV)

Observations from Buddhist scripture:
生者皆歸死,容顏盡變衰,強力病所侵,無能免斯者;
假使妙高山,劫盡皆散壞。大海深無底,亦復有枯竭;
大地及日月,時至皆歸盡。未曾有一事,不被無常吞。
《佛說無常經》

Impermanence - अनिच्चा (anicca), अनित्य (anitya), 無常 (wúcháng) - a very important Buddhist concept.

Solution to impermanence
The Buddhist solution
Buddha said that attachment to impermanent things caused suffering. The solution is to detach from impermanent things.
The Buddha's last words (Mahāparinibbāna Sutta 大般涅槃經):
Handa dani bhikkhave amantayami vo: Vayadhamma sankhara appamadena sampadetha.
"Behold, O monks, this is my last advice to you. All component things in the world are changeable. They are not lasting. Work hard to gain your own salvation."
"Behold now, bhikkhus, I exhort you: All compounded things are subject to vanish. Strive with earnestness!"
「諸比丘,現在我勸告汝等:諸因緣法含固有毀壞。大家應自精勤,證取道果!」

The Christian solution
Attachment to impermanent things cause suffering. The solution is to detach from impermanent things and attach to the eternal God.
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:18 NIV)
The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. (1 John 2:17 NIV)
And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. (John 17:3 KJV)
Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. (Hebrews 13:8 KJV)

Remember, you are saved by who you believe, not what you do.

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