Anicca, impermanence

What it is: Anicca is the impermanence of all conditioned phenomena.

How the tradition understands it: Nothing composite remains identical in a stable way. Recognizing this helps undo attachment, the illusion of permanence, and fixation on rigid identities.

Textual basis and context: The theme appears throughout ancient Buddhist literature and remains central in meditation, ethics, and wisdom.

Debates and variations: Impermanence is broadly shared among schools, although it is integrated into distinct philosophical systems.