Alan Watts via WDYD; Ven. Nyanatiloka; Dhr. Seven (ed.), Ashley Wells, Wisdom Quarterly
EGOLESSNESS (anattā, literally "not-self") is the third of the Three Characteristics of Existence (ti-lakkhana).
The anatta (non-ego, selfless, impersonal) doctrine teaches that neither within body and mind phenomena of existence -- usually referred to as name and form -- nor outside them can there be found anything that in the ultimate sense could be regarded as an independently-existing real self, soul, ego-entity, essence, or any other abiding substance.
This is the central doctrine of Buddhism, and without knowledge of it a real understanding of Buddhism is altogether impossible.
It is the only really specific Buddhist doctrine with which the entire structure of the Buddhist teaching stands or falls. All remaining Buddhist doctrines may, more or less, be found in other philosophical systems or religions.
But the anattā-doctrine has been clearly and unreservedly taught ONLY by the Buddha. Therefore, the Buddha is known as the anattā-vādi or "Teacher of Not-Self" or "Teacher of the Impersonal Nature of all Things."
Whoever has not penetrated the impersonal nature of all existence (of the Five Aggregates Clung to as Self) does not comprehend that, in reality, there exists only this continually consuming PROCESS of arising, turning, and passing bodily and mental phenomena and that there is no separate, independent ego-entity inside or outside this empty process.
Such an individual, conventionally speaking, will be unable to understand Buddhism -- that is, the teaching of the Four Noble Truths (sacca) in the correct light.
This is the central doctrine of Buddhism, and without knowledge of it a real understanding of Buddhism is altogether impossible.
It is the only really specific Buddhist doctrine with which the entire structure of the Buddhist teaching stands or falls. All remaining Buddhist doctrines may, more or less, be found in other philosophical systems or religions.
But the anattā-doctrine has been clearly and unreservedly taught ONLY by the Buddha. Therefore, the Buddha is known as the anattā-vādi or "Teacher of Not-Self" or "Teacher of the Impersonal Nature of all Things."
Whoever has not penetrated the impersonal nature of all existence (of the Five Aggregates Clung to as Self) does not comprehend that, in reality, there exists only this continually consuming PROCESS of arising, turning, and passing bodily and mental phenomena and that there is no separate, independent ego-entity inside or outside this empty process.
Such an individual, conventionally speaking, will be unable to understand Buddhism -- that is, the teaching of the Four Noble Truths (sacca) in the correct light.
Instead, that person will think that it is one's self (soul, ego, personality) that experiences suffering, that performs karma (skillful and unskillful actions), and that will be reborn according to this karma (action), that will enter into nirvana, and that walks the Noble Eightfold Path. More
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