Buddhism and the Concept of Anatta

Buddhist Doctrine

• Anatta, or non-self, is a central concept in Buddhism, meaning that there is no permanent, underlying substance that can be called the soul.
• The individual is compounded of five constantly changing factors.
• The three characteristics of all existence are anatta, anicca (impermanence), and dukkha (suffering).
• Recognition of these three doctrines constitutes "right understanding".

Four Noble Truths

• Existence is suffering (dukkha).
• Suffering has a cause, namely craving and attachment (trishna).
• There is a cessation of suffering, which is nirvana.
• There is a path to the cessation of suffering, the eightfold path.

Eightfold Path

• Right views
• Right resolve
• Right speech
• Right action
• Right livelihood
• Right effort
• Right mindfulness
• Right concentration

Characteristics of Buddhism

• Reality is described in terms of process and relation rather than entity or substance.
• Many forms of Buddhism exist around the world, each revering certain texts.

Confucianism

• Confucianism is a societal philosophy rather than a religion.
• It believes in the golden rule: "Do not do unto others what you do not want others to do unto you."
• The quest for the human self is focused on the personality.
• Personality is seen as being formed through upbringing and environment.
• Every person is born with four beginnings: compassion, righteousness, propriety, and wisdom.
• These beginnings can lead to the development of virtues such as Jen, Yi, Li, and Chih.

Virtues in Confucianism

• Jen: compassion, goodwill, sympathy, politeness, and generosity.
• Yi: rightness, respect of duty, and guardianship towards nature and humanity.
• Li: respectability, decency, and conformity to accepted standards of behavior and morality.
• Chih: wisdom brought about by practicing Jen, Yi, and Li.

Taoism

• Taoism is based on the writings of Laozi, who lived around 2,500 years ago.
• The focus is on the Dao (Tao), "the way", which is interpreted as a return to the natural world.
• The Dao is composed of Heaven, Earth, and Humanity.
• Taoist practices emphasize selflessness, simplicity, and modesty.
• The goal of life is to find one's own personal adjustment to the rhythm of the natural and supernatural world.
• Taoists stress the importance of harmonizing with nature by balancing yin and yang.