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Grammatical Analysis

Anicca: [adj.] impermanent; inconstant; unstable; dynamic. Formed by the negative prefix a (not) + nicca (constant, continuous, permanent).

Orthodox Definition

Anicca is the first of the three universal characteristics of existence (tilakkhana). It refers to the fact that all conditioned phenomena (saṅkhāra), whether material (rūpa) or mental (nāma), are fundamentally impermanent.

The orthodox definition outlined in the commentaries explains that things are considered anicca primarily in the sense of existing and then ceasing to be (hutvā abhāvato), and also for four other reasons:

  1. Because they have origination and dissolution (uppādavayavantato).
  2. Because they are subject to constant change (vipariṇāmato).
  3. Because they are temporary and bounded by time (tāvakālikato).
  4. Because they are the antithesis of permanence (niccapaṭikkhepato).

Anicca is not merely a philosophical concept but the object of direct insight meditation (vipassanā). Witnessing the rapid dissolution (bhaṅga) of mental and physical states breaks the illusion of continuity and stability, weakening grasping.

Quote

Idāni tesaṃ vipassitabbākāraṃ dassetuṃ cakkhuṃ aniccantiādi āraddhaṃ.
Now, in order to show the manner in which they are to be insightfully contemplated (vipassanā), the phrase “The eye is impermanent” (cakkhuṃ aniccaṃ) and so on, is introduced.

Tattha cakkhu tāva hutvā abhāvaṭṭhena aniccanti veditabbaṃ.
Among these, the eye is to be known as impermanent (anicca) in the sense that it exists and then ceases to be.

Aparehipi catūhi kāraṇehi aniccaṃ – uppādavayavantato, vipariṇāmato, tāvakālikato, niccapaṭikkhepatoti.
It is also impermanent for four other reasons: because it has origination and dissolution, because of change (vipariṇāma), because it is temporary (tāvakālika), and because it is the antithesis of permanence.

— Sammohavinodanī

Textual References

  • Sutta: Anattalakkhaṇa Sutta (SN 22.59) – Where the Buddha demonstrates that what is impermanent is inevitably unsatisfactory (dukkha).
  • Canonical: Dhammapada (v. 277) – “Sabbe saṅkhārā aniccā’ti…” (All conditioned things are impermanent).
  • Commentary: Sammohavinodanī (Vibhaṅga-aṭṭhakathā) – Explaining the four reasons why states are considered impermanent.

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