Today is Vesak day. I wish all my Buddhist friends a happy Vesak day and also look at one basic doctrine of Buddhism from a Biblical perspective.
Tilakkhaṇa (Pali) or trilakṣmaṇa (Sanskrit), translated as the three marks/signs/characteristics, of all existence and beings is a basic doctrine of Buddhism. The three marks of existence are impermanence (anicca), dissatisfaction or suffering (dukkha), and non-self, no-self or no "I AM" (anattā). According to Buddha, a full understanding of these three can bring an end to suffering.
What Buddha said is true. The Bible actually explained the three marks of existence more fully and therefore complete salvation is found in the Bible.
How did all existence acquired the three marks? The answer is actually found in the big overview of the Bible - creation, fall, redemption, restoration.
Creation
God is the ultimate "I AM" (Exodus 3:14). He created all things and owns of all things. His creation was good. There is neither anicca nor dukkha. Creation is good and permanent.
Fall
Then Adam wanted to be like God. He wanted to be like "I AM", the one who owns the universe. He ate the fruit of knowledge of good and evil to achieve this aim. In doing so, he sinned. With sin came death (Romans 5:12) and all creation has acquired the characteristics of anicca and dukkha. Now sinful men are cut off from the true "I AM" and behave as little "I AM" and became full of self and are no longer anattā. They seek for the things of the world, which are both anicca and dukkha, to satisfy themselves because they are cut off from things eternal.
Redemption
The ultimate "I AM" now make provision for salvation by sending His Son to die for the sin of the world. For those who believe, he achieved anattā, for it is no longer he who lives, but he lives by faith in the Son of God (Galatians 2:20). And he does all things for the glory of the true "I AM" (1 Corinthians 10:31). While anicca and dukkha continues while we are in the flesh (1 Peter 5:10, 2 Corinthians 4:17, John 16:33), but this suffering/dukkha (which is temporary/anicca) is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.
Restoration
In due time, "I AM" will destroy the present creation and replace it with one without anicca and dukkha (Revelation 21:1).
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