The Unconditioned

Monks, there are these three characteristics that define the unconditioned.

What three?

No arising is seen, no vanishing is seen, and no alteration while it persists is seen.

These are the three characteristics that define the unconditioned.

(Reference: AN 3.47)

In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he describes all “unconditioned” mental qualities.

An unconditioned mental quality will not arise, change, and fade away.

The Buddha uses this language “No arising is seen, no vanishing is seen (i.e. no fading away), and no alteration while it persists is seen (I.e. no changes)”.

An unconditioned mental quality will not arise, change, and then fade away.

The peaceful, calm, serene, and content mind with joy experienced in the Enlightened mind is not based on impermanent conditions and can be described as “unconditioned mental qualities”.

The Enlightened, or unconditioned mind, will not experience conditioned feelings because the mental qualities of an Enlightened mind are not based on impermanent conditions. The unconditioned mental qualities will not arise, change, and fade away. Therefore, the unconditioned mental qualities are permanent.

An Enlightened mind will not base its peace, calm, serenity, and contentedness with joy on impermanent conditions such as a new car, promotion at work, new relationship, or some other temporary condition. Due to the Enlightened mind being deeply trained and it does not base its inner feelings on impermanent conditions, the mind can reside peaceful, calm, serene, and content with joy - permanently. The mind experiences unconditioned mental qualities that do not arise, change, and fade away - they are permanent.

This is what an Enlightened unconditioned mind experiences.

Examples of unconditioned objects that I have observed are Enlightenment, The Natural Laws of Existence, and love (i.e. unconditional love). These do not arise, change, nor fade away.

Detailed explanation of “Why Enlightenment is Permanent?” is available in this same book series found in the Frequently Asked Questions of the book “Developing a Life Practice: The Path That Leads to Enlightenment” (Volume 1).