According to Buddhist philosophy, the world is _______ (anicca).
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Transient
Option (1) Non-transient — Incorrect. This is the opposite of the Buddhist view. In Buddhist philosophy nothing in the world is permanent or eternal; the world is always changing.
Option (2) Full of joy — Incorrect. Within this transient world, sorrow (dukkha) is intrinsic to human existence. Human beings rise above these worldly troubles by following the path of moderation, so the world is not seen as full of joy.
Option (3) Transient — Correct. Anicca means that the world is transient and constantly changing.
Option (4) Soulful — Incorrect. The Buddhist word here is anatta: the world is soulless, as there is nothing permanent or eternal in it.
NCERT (2026-27): “5. The Teachings of the Buddha … According to Buddhist philosophy, the world is transient (anicca) and constantly changing; it is also soulless (anatta) as there is nothing permanent or eternal in it. Within this transient world, sorrow (dukkha) is intrinsic to human existence. It is by following the path of moderation between severe penance and self-indulgence that human beings can rise above these worldly troubles. In the earliest forms of Buddhism, whether or not god existed was irrelevant.…” |