Anatta is a term that is commonly used in Buddhist philosophy and is often translated as “no-self” or “non-self”. It is a fundamental concept in Buddhism that refers to the absence of a permanent, unchanging self or soul. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of anatta in more detail.
Definitions
Anatta is a Pali word that can be broken down into two parts: “an” meaning “not” and “atta” meaning “self”. Therefore, anatta can be defined as “not-self” or “non-self”. It is the opposite of atman, which is the Sanskrit term for “self” or “soul”.
In Buddhist philosophy, anatta is the idea that there is no permanent, unchanging self or soul that exists independently of the body and mind. Instead, the self is seen as a constantly changing and impermanent phenomenon that arises from the interaction of the five aggregates: form, sensation, perception, mental formations, and consciousness.
Origin
The concept of anatta originated in ancient India, where it was first taught by the Buddha over 2,500 years ago. It is a central teaching of Buddhism and is considered one of the three marks of existence, along with impermanence (anicca) and suffering (dukkha).
Meaning in different dictionaries
Anatta is a Pali word and is therefore not commonly found in English dictionaries. However, it is often translated as “no-self” or “non-self” in Buddhist texts and literature.
Associations
Anatta is closely associated with the Buddhist concept of emptiness (shunyata), which is the idea that all phenomena are empty of inherent existence or self-nature. It is also related to the concept of dependent origination (pratitya-samutpada), which is the idea that all phenomena arise in dependence upon other phenomena.
Synonyms
Synonyms of anatta include “no-self”, “non-self”, “not-self”, and “anatman”.
Antonyms
The antonym of anatta is atman, which is the Sanskrit term for “self” or “soul”.
The same root words
Anatta is a Pali word and is therefore not related to any English root words.
Example Sentences
- “According to Buddhist philosophy, anatta is the absence of a permanent, unchanging self or soul.”
- “The concept of anatta challenges the idea of a fixed and unchanging identity.”
- “Anatta is considered one of the three marks of existence in Buddhism.”