Three Marks of Existence

The three marks of existence according to the Buddha are :

1) Impermanence (Anicca)
2) Suffering (Dukkha)
3) No-self (Anatta)

According to the Buddha, everything in the physical world (and everything in the phenomenology of psychology) is marked by these three universal marks (characteristics):

1) Impermanence (Anicca)
This refers not only to the fact that all conditioned things eventually cease to exist, but also that all conditioned things are in a constant state of flux. (Visualize a leaf growing on a tree. It dies and falls off the tree but is soon replaced by a new leaf.)

2) Suffering (Dukkha)
Nothing found in the physical world or even the psychological realm can bring lasting deep satisfaction.

3) No-self (Anatta)
Anatta is used in the suttas both as a noun and as a predicative adjective to denote that phenomena are not, or are without, a permanent self, to describe any and all composite, consubstantial, phenomenal and temporal things, from the macrocosmic to microcosmic, be it matter pertaining to the physical body or the cosmos at large, as well as any and all mental machinations, which are impermanent.