Definition
Buddhist teaching that no phenomenon of experience constitutes a permanent, autonomous and mastery self.
Non-self does not mean that the conventional person does not exist, that he has no rights or that he should not protect himself. He analyses the absence of an independent essence within aggregates.
To be retained
- Not to translate into nonexistence
- Distinguish conventional person and petrol
- Non-self-linking to ethics
- Avoid depersonalization
Origin of the term and context
The anattā pāli and the Sanskrit anātman mean "non-ātman". Teaching dialogue historically with Indian conceptions of a permanent principle.
Why does it matter?
Anattā is a philosophical and contemplative doctrine, not a neuroscientific conclusion. The sciences can study the construction of self-sense without validating the whole of Buddhist soteriology.
- Not to translate into nonexistence
- Distinguish conventional person and petrol
- Non-self-linking to ethics
- Avoid depersonalization
How can it be explored or practised?
- Observe thoughts and sensations as changing events
- Name the roles that make up identity
- Maintaining its limits clearly
- Stop practice in case of disturbing sense of impracticality
Misconceptions and points of caution
- Non-self does not justify abuse.
- Depersonalization is a symptom to take seriously.
- Anattā is not identical to a scientific theory of the brain.
Perspectives from different traditions
- Theravāda: examination of the five aggregates as non-self.
- Madhyamaka: emptiness of existence of all phenomena.
- Yogācāra: analyses of cognition and self-appropriation.
To go further
- Anattalakhas Sutta — with comment
- The Middle Treaty — Nāgārjuna