The Concept of Anatta (Non-Self) in Buddhism
1. The Story from the Samadhi Sutra
A person once dropped a precious jewel into the sea. Instead of giving up, he began scooping water from the ocean with a bowl, determined to empty it. The sea god appeared and asked:
Sea God: "How long will you continue this?"
Man: "Even if my life ends and I am reborn, I will not stop."
Moved by his unwavering determination, the sea god returned the jewel. This story reflects the Buddha's teaching to "Pursue the truth like a rhinoceros horn", emphasizing persistence in the path to enlightenment regardless of hardships.
2. Understanding Anatta (Non-Self)
Anatta means there is no permanent self or soul.
During Buddha's time, the prevailing Brahmanism taught the idea of Atman, an eternal self present in all beings.
The Buddha refuted this by teaching that nothing is eternal, and there is no inherent self or divine essence governing the universe.
3. The Five Aggregates (Panca-khanda)
Buddhism explains human existence through Five Aggregates (Skandhas):
Form (Rupa): Physical body
Sensation (Vedana): Feelings
Perception (Sanna): Recognition of objects
Mental Formations (Sankhara): Intentions and decisions
Consciousness (Vinnana): Awareness of thoughts
These aggregates are dependent on conditions and do not constitute a permanent self. All beings and phenomena arise and cease through dependent origination (Paticcasamuppada).
4. Practical Examples of Anatta
The Apple and Seed Analogy: An apple comes from a seed, yet it is neither the same nor completely different from it.
DNA and Humans: Even with inherited DNA, new beings are unique creations, not mere replicas of their parents.
Seeing One's Reflection: We only see ourselves through reflections or perceptions, never our true self, demonstrating that our identity is also a construct of conditions.
5. The Parable of the Elephant and the Blind Men
Blind men touched different parts of an elephant, each describing it differently:
"It feels like a pillar," "It’s like a broom," "It’s like a wall."
This story illustrates how limited perception leads to misunderstanding reality, showing that we often cannot see the whole truth.
6. Key Takeaways of Anatta
There is no eternal essence in any being or object.
Recognizing the nature of Anatta leads to detachment and ultimately to liberation (Nirvana).
The Buddha advised: "This is not mine, I am not this, this is not my self." (Samyutta Nikaya 18)
A Story of Generosity: The Legend of Songnimsa Temple
The Songnimsa Temple, located in Chilgok-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do, holds an interesting legend:
The Tale of Masangju and the Beggar Boy: Masangju, obsessed with wealth, denied charity at his father’s funeral, resulting in his family's downfall. However, those who helped a poor beggar boy were later blessed with prosperity.
The temple's story emphasizes the virtue of generosity and how compassion leads to good karma.
The teaching of Anatta is a profound insight in Buddhism, highlighting that all phenomena arise due to conditions, and there is no permanent "self." Embracing this truth can alleviate suffering and lead to freedom.
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