..續本文上一頁can only be eliminated by attaining the first stage on the patch to sainthood, namely the Sotapatti stage.

　　In the Sanyutta Nikaya, Chapter 12, the Buddha says "It would be better for the world ling to regard this body built up, of the four elements as his Ego rather than the mind, for it is evident that the body may last a year, two, three unto a hundred years, and more, but that which is called thought, mind or consciousness is arising continually during day, and night, as one thing, as passing away as another thing. The Buddha analysed the mind for the vestige of a soul, and declared that only sensations, perceptions and thought processes and consciousness were there. All these He declares to be impermanent, arising, and passing away. But their rapid continuation created the illusion of an egoentity persisting in man. Just as when the parts are rightly set, we use the term chariot to a combination of wheels shaft, axle etc., we use the term man, to a combination of psycho-physical forces.

　　"Just as the ship goes by the winds impelled, Just as the shaft goes by the bowstring”s force So goes the body in its forward move, Full driven by the virant thrust of air, As to the puppet”s back the dodge-tread tied, So to the body-doll the mind is tied, And pulled to that body, moves, stands, sits."

　　For modern psychology the soul is a complete superfluity, having no right to a place among its first principles. That the belief is thoroughly unscientific is borne out by the following statement of Prof: Mac Dougal:

　　"It is a matter of common knowledge that science has given its verdict against the soul, has declared the conception of a soul.. is a mere survival from primitive culture, one of the many relics from savage superstition that obstinately persists among us in defiance of the clear teaching of modern science."

　　It is the acceptance of this doctrine that distinguishes the genuine Buddhist from the spurious one. In determining the true doctrines of the Buddha, the Elders who took part in the Third Council have declared that three words consisting of eight letters cpnstitute the core of the Buddha-Dharma.

　　Those three Pali words when written in the original scripts are, Anicca, Dukkha, and Anatta. In Pali Language:"Na hi sila kattam hetu, Uppajjanti Tathagatha Attakkhra tini pad a 5ambuddhena pakasita."

　　Translation:

　　"Not mere teachers of ethics right, Are the Buddhas who the Dhamma teach, Three words contained in letters eight, Constitute the core of what they preach."

《The Three Characteristics of Existence》全文閱讀結束。