Direct Knowing of Non-self (Anatta)

[Tep Sastri]

Hello!

At a large Buddhist discussion group, after so many years, the members still are debating the issue of existence/non-existence of "self" (atta).  However, there is no need to be confused about whether there is a self or there is no self, if one only studies this wonderful SN 22.45 Anicca sutta.

"Bhikkhus, form is impermanent. What is impermanent is suffering. What is suffering is nonself. What is nonself should be seen as it really is with correct wisdom thus: 'This is not mine, this I am not, this is not my self.' When one sees this thus as it really is with correct wisdom, the mind becomes dispassionate and is liberated from the taints by non-clinging." [Note 1]

[Note 1] Commentary: Seeing with correct wisdom (sammappa~n~naaya) is the wisdom of the path together with insight. The mind becomes dispassionate (virajjati) at the moment of the path, and is liberated (vimuccati) at the moment of the fruit.

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"Feeling is impermanent  ...  Perception is impermanent  ... Volitional formations are impermanent  ...

Consciousness is impermanent. What is impermanent is suffering. What is suffering is nonself. What is nonself should be seen as it really is with correct wisdom thus: 'This is not mine, this I am not, this is not my self.' When one sees this thus as it really is with correct wisdom, the mind becomes dispassionate and is liberated from the taints by non-clinging."

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"If, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu's mind has become dispassionate towards the form element, it is liberated from the taints by non-clinging.

If his mind has become dispassionate towards the feeling element ...

If his mind has become dispassionate towards the perception element ...

If his mind has become dispassionate towards the volitional formations element ...

If his mind has become dispassionate towards the consciousness element it is liberated from the taints by non-clinging."