The ātman and its negation - a conceptual and chronological analysis of early Buddhist thought
Year: 2012
Type: article
Abstract: The ātman and its negation A conceptual and chronological analysis of early Buddhist thought Alexander WynneThe denial that a human being possesses a "self" or "soul" is probably the most famous Buddhist teaching.It is certainly its most distinct, as has been pointed out by G. P. Malalasekera: "In its denial of any real permanent Soul or Self, Buddhism stands alone." 1 A similar modern Sinhalese perspective has been expressed by Walpola Rahula: "Buddhism stands unique in the history of human thought in denying the existence of such a Soul, Self or Ātman." 2 The "No Self" or "no soul" doctrine (Sanskrit: anātman; Pāli: anattan) is particularly notable for its widespread acceptance and historical endurance.It was a standard belief of virtually all the ancient schools of Indian Buddhism (the notable exception being the Pudgalavādins), 3 and has persisted without change into the modern era.Thus the classical Theravādin view of Buddhaghosa that "there is only suff ering, but nobody who suff ers" 4 is identical to the view of Śāntideva, the famous Indian Mahāyānist, that "the person who experiences suff ering does not exist," 5 and both views are mirrored by the modern Theravādin perspective of Mahasi Sayadaw 1 Malalasekera 1957: 33. 2 Rahula 1959: 51. 3 On the Pudgalavādins see Châu 1999 and Williams and Tribe 2000: 124-28.
Source: heiDOK (Heidelberg University)
Author: Alexander Wynne
Language: English
Topic: Indian and Buddhist Studies
Subfield: Religious studies
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2183405771