“People do not enjoy a thousand good days in a row, and flowers do not stay in bloom for a hundred days.” This is an illustration of impermanence. “The moon waxes and wanes from month to month, Just as people’s fortunes ebb and flow from day to day.” This also expresses the meaning of impermanence.
Impermanence means change and movement. It applies to people, plants, trees, animals, and all things. It is not affected by power; and it does not discriminate. Because of its universal nature, impermanence has been proven as the truth or principle of all sentient and non-sentient things.
There are many beautiful things in the world, but because of impermanence, they do not last. Youth and beauty do not exist forever; fame, power, and money come and go. According to science, even the cells of our bodies are constantly changing. So, the past “me” is not the same “me” of today. The “me” of today will not be the same “me” of tomorrow. There are endless changes; all lives and things are impermanent!
Impermanence is not completely pessimistic. Because of impermanence, where there was formerly nothing, something new can happen. There are many examples to illustrate this idea. We might be poor, but with the right causes and conditions on top of our great efforts, we can become wealthy. We may lack schooling, but if we work hard and apply ourselves, we can become educated and gain knowledge and skills. We may be childless, but we may give births to boys and girls, and we can have a bigger family. Land may be vacant, but with a design, the proper materials, and the teamwork of architects, engineers, contractors, and skilled workers, tall buildings can be constructed. “Wondrous things come into being from emptiness,” is not this an aspect of impermanence?
Impermanence is not to be feared, nor is it avoidable. Regrettably, some people are terrified of impermanence. They fool themselves by thinking that if they avoid it, they will not be affected by its ever-changing nature. However, there is no escape from impermanence.
When we watch flowers bloom and wither, are we alarmed by their impermanence? In witnessing births and deaths, have we come to understand the phenomena of living and dying? We not only should learn to embrace impermanence; we should even see our future in impermanence. We should complete whatever job needs to be done and pursue our goals so that when impermanence manifests itself, we will not be left with unfulfilled wishes, broken promises, or regrets.
Impermanence is truly wonderful! As the saying goes, “The good will come when the bad leaves.” Impermanence can bring pain and sorrow, especially in sickness and aging, but the renewal that impermanence brings is joyous and celebrated. We can transform bad into good, just as we can transcend impermanence and enter into the permanent dharma realms of suchness.
