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Expert: - 3/4/2008


Question
why does buddha claim that there is no self?

Answer
Dear Lydia,
The teaching is not that there is no self in any possible sense of the word, but that there is no permanent, self-sufficient, unchanging and "sovereign" self inside us somewhere.
It may also help to bear in mind that the Buddha does not say anything like "There is no self - you'd better believe it!". Rather the idea is more like "OK, if you think you have a self, sit down, look inside and try to find it. Then tell us what shape, color or size it is, exactly where it is and so on."
The expectation is that when we try this, we will fail, and that it is very valuable to stay in the state of "failing to find it"!
I hope that helps a bit
All the best
Alex Wilding

Buddhists

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Alex Wilding

Expertise

I have practiced and studied Tibetan Buddhism in the Kagyu and Nyingma traditions since the early 1970s, and have a good knowledge of theory, history and of the struggles of trying to practice the teachings, including meditation, while leading a normal, modern life. I am also available to provide background information for journalists.

Experience

I have been a practitioner since the early 1970s; have run a small Buddhist centre in the English Midlands and was vice-president of Kagyu Benchen Ling e.V. in Germany, for whom I managed three large Buddhist summer-camps. More importantly, I maintain a habit of personal practice. I am the "owner" of the Kagyu list at Yahoo.

Education/Credentials
My first degree was an M.A. from Oxford. I later obtained a Master of Philosophy degree for a research thesis in "Initiation in Tibetan Buddhism" from Leicester University. I also have engineering and educational qualifications.

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