Nicca (adj.) [Vedic nitya, adj.-formation fr. ni, meaning "downward"=onward, on and on; according to Grassmann (Wtb. z. Rig Veda) originally "inwardly, homely"] constant, continuous, permanent D III.31; S I.142; II.109, 198; IV.24 sq., 45, 63; A II.33, 52; V.210;...- nt. adv. niccaµ perpetually, constantly, always...M I.326; III.271; Sn 69, 220, 336; Dh 23, 109, 206, 293;...Far more freq. as anicca (adj.; aniccaµ nt. n.) unstable, impermanent, inconstant; (nt.) evanescence, inconstancy, impermanence. - The emphatic assertion of impermanence (continuous change of condition) is a prominent axiom of the Dhamma, and the realization of the evanescent character of all things mental or material is one of the primary conditions of attaining right knowledge (: anicca-sa¾¾aµ manasikaroti to ponder over the idea of impermanence S II.47; III.155; V.132;...In this import anicca occurs in many combinations of similar terms, all characterising change, its consequences and its meaning, esp. in the famous triad "aniccaµ dukkhaµ anatt¤" (see dukkha II.2), e. g. S III.41, 67, 180; IV.28...Opposed to this ever-fluctuating impermanence is Nibb¤na (q. v.), which is therefore marked with the attributes of constancy and stableness...