1. To really understand the ‘anicca nature,’ one must understand the concept of ‘saññā.’
- ‘Saññā‘ is an ‘innate sense’ that is built into our bodies. The simplest idea is in the loose translation of saññā as ‘perception’ (in the sense of two people having different ‘perceptions of a third person (X), i.e., one says X is a good person and the other says X is a ‘bad person’). A bit deeper example is birds flying long distances over thousand of miles based on their built-in saññā that they need to fly to a different location to survive the upcoming weather change; they just ‘feel’ they need to start flying in a certain direction for a certain time!
- Here is an even more complex version of saññā: Seeing colors is a ‘saññā,’ and that is a mirage, according to the Buddha. The color of an object is not real. Objects do not have inherent colors, and the light does not have colors either. The following video explains both points based on modern science.
- At 2.30 minutes, he says that the process by which the brain interprets the signals from the sensors at the back of the retina as ‘red’ is not understood by science. That is because ‘color perception’ does not occur in the brain.
- So, where does the ‘perception of blue, red, etc.’ come from?
2. Think deeply about this issue. Scientists do not know where the perception of the color (‘red’ or ‘blue’) comes from.
- The colors are all made up by the mind in a very complex process.
- In the same way, tastes, smells, pleasing music, and the pleasure of touch are all mind-made. They are all ‘saññā‘ made up by the mind (not in real time, but through a very complex process in which our bodies and the external world arise via Paṭicca Samuppāda). P.S. See “Paṭicca Samuppāda Creates the External World, Too!“
3. I posted a version of this in another comment with more details. It is my comment on November 11, 2025, at 8:33 am (my last comment on that thread as of today): Post on ‘Colors Are Mind-Made (Due to Kāma Saññā)’
- I do not understand why people are having such a hard time understanding this.
- Just think about a single issue. Where do colors come from? Objects do not have inherent colors, and neither does light, which is electromagnetic radiation or just energy. As the above video explains, modern science has confirmed that. P.S. But being materialists who don’t believe in rebirth, they don’t care if the ‘pleasure sensation’ is created in the brain (as they believe); for them, the goal is to enjoy life while it lasts. However, it matters immensely if rebirth is real; one will be trapped in the ‘kāma loka‘ (including the apāyās) as long as one craves those so-called ‘pleasures.’
- In the same way, tastes, smells, etc., are not real either. But we attach to things in the world solely on the basis of those characteristics.
- That is why the Buddha said that attaching to those things is of ‘anicca nature’ (because they cannot provide long-lasting happiness; those ‘pleasures’ are brief and unsatisfying). Furthermore, our actions seeking such ‘pleasures’ only lead to rebirths in the apāyās. See “Fooled by Distorted Saññā (Sañjānāti) – Origin of Attachment (Taṇhā).”
- We will never be satisfied, even when we get to enjoy all those colorful, tasty things. There are many millionaires/billionaires in the world who can afford any of those things. Are they satisfied with life? Some even commit suicide! In any case, they also get old, suffer the old age issues, and die.
4. Based on the above, I tried to explain how one can get to the Sotapanna stage.
- The following are a few of the relevant posts: Sotapanna Anugāmi and Anicca/Viparināmi Nature of a Defiled Mind, Colors Are Mind-Made (Due to Kāma Saññā), What Does “Paccayā” Mean in Paṭicca Samuppāda?
- I hope at least a few people will start comprehending what I have been trying to explain over the past two to three years.
- Of course, it takes a determined effort to understand these deep concepts.
- Our human existence is the best opportunity we have. Those in the apāyās (including animals) cannot comprehend these issues. Those in the Deva and Brahma realms do not experience or see suffering, and so are not motivated to contemplate the ‘anicca nature.’ Even the rich and healthy among us cannot be motivated! They are too busy enjoying life (not realizing that it is a magic show in a grand scale)!
