Anatta Summary of Points Knowledge & Understanding Analysis & Evaluation 25 year time lapse

Describe / explain Buddhist concept of Anatta It is the Buddhist teaching about ‘no self’ It is one of the Three Marks of Existence/ Three Universal Truths (which describes the Human Condition) It is anicca applied to people

Anatta teaches we are made up of 5 Skhandas (aggregates/heaps): 1.Body, form or matter 2.Sensations & feelings 3.Character traits/perceptions 4.Cogntions/ mental formations 5.Consciousness

5 skandhas 1.Body, form or material form- Matter has 4 elements: solidity, fluidity, heat, motion. These are experienced through our sense organs. Physical form is always changing and is dependant on its environment for its continued existence.

2.Feeling or sensations- Arise from contact between sense organ and sense object. Can be pleasant, unpleasant, neutral. Buddhism- there are 6 not 5 senses: sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch plus the mind. 3.Perceptions- The ideas encountered by the mind. We recognise an object and see something as distinct from other things, for instance, the sound of a bell or the shape of a tree.

4.Impulses or mental formations- Willed activities of the mind. Mental formations. Responses to perceptions. All types of mental habits, thoughts, ideas, opinions, compulsions, and decisions triggered by an object. 5.Consciousness- Interpretation - (misinterpretation) of things and events. Attaching value to things. Projection of our version of things on to what’s there, in other words the base that supports all experience.

These are constantly changing – come together at birth and break apart at death Non acceptance of this leads to suffering – a wrong understanding of the world to think ‘I’ am at the centre

Explained by Nagasena to King Milinda – chariot depends on all parts in order to be a chariot; we are the same YOLK AXLE WHEELS FLAGSTAFF POLE

Two levels of truth: conventional= me, ‘self’ only a label for skhandas ultimate=no permanent self Mahayana ideas include: all interconnected, no separate self which leads to idea of sunyata – everything is empty of self as everything is dependent on/connected to everything else Buddha said dhamma was more important than he was – he died

Anatta examples of AE questions 1.Is anatta an accurate concept? 2.Does it portray the human condition well/successfully? 3.Does it bring benefits or difficulties?

Positive/Benefits It’s true - we all encounter old age, sickness and death! (parable of Kisagotami & the mustard seed) The illusion of self leads to craving (tanha) and selfish attachment to things and people, and so also to suffering – accepting it brings release from craving and so also from suffering, and so can be free from samsaric rebirth and gain nibbana Desire to achieve nirvana is not selfish – it is about trying to cultivate a release from thinking of false ideas of self

Getting rid of selfishness is a good thing – no-one likes selfish people. Would be happier as selfishness leads to suffering. Getting rid of deluded ideas of self- importance leads to compassion for others and the universe– important if we are all interconnected ( cf dependent origination, and Mahayana belief of help of Bodhisattvas)

True that we all depend on each other for existence – John Donne ‘no man is an island’ The Dhamma offers a way out of false ideas of self – follow Eightfold Path especially Morality – builds good kamma, become less selfish, also Meditation on loving-kindness, and on elimination of feelings of selfish lust, jealousy etc Good concept – if self is constantly changing it means we can change for the better! (good kamma)

Negative/Difficulties Contradiction? If no self, then what attains good kamma, samsaric rebirth and nirvana (Mahayana view (sunyata) more helpful?) What’s the point of being good? Why aim for better samsaric rebirth if ‘I’ will not benefit from it! It is true that false ideas of self lead to poor states of mind eg false pride and hurt if insulted, but can also lead to feelings of happiness when praised– and what about self respect, self-control, self esteem, self- worth? All are positive

Seems quite a cold view of humanity – lack of respect or dignity for what makes us human – am I really just a bundle of bits? Realisation of the truth of anatta can just make us more selfish and desperate to hold onto what we have! - nothing more than a ‘painted puppet’ - in modern times desire for eternal youth: botox, nip and tuck etc - cannot accept old age, leads to more suffering in the end