THE BUDDHA’S DOCTRINE OF ANATTA. This is a comparative study of the concepts of ‘self’ and ‘non-self‘ in Buddhism, Hinduism and Western Philosophy by Buddhadasa Bikku.
It extensively describes the Buddha’s principle of not -self and contrasts it with those in other doctrines, for example, the Six Teachers’ wrong views, the viewpoints of the Vedanta and the Bhagavadgita of Hinduism, and those viewpoints of some Western intellectuals. It also shows the profundity and ultimate status of the Buddha’s view, which students of philosophy or religious study and serious dhamma practitioners cannot afford to overlook.
102 pages, 17 MB (huge one, might take some time). Download here:
-Or buy the print edition here: Link
“The Buddha’s Doctrine of Anatta” is a comprehensive examination of the Buddhist concept of Anatta (non-self), authored by the esteemed Thai monk Buddhadasa Bhikkhu. This work delves into the profound teaching that challenges the notion of a permanent, unchanging self, a cornerstone of Buddhist philosophy.
Buddhadasa Bhikkhu meticulously contrasts the Anatta doctrine with various perspectives from other traditions, including:
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Hinduism: Analyzing the concept of Ātman (self) as presented in texts like the Vedanta and the Bhagavad Gita.
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Western Philosophy: Exploring viewpoints from Western intellectuals on the nature of self and identity.
The book also addresses misconceptions arising from the teachings of the Six Heretical Teachers, who held divergent views on the self during the Buddha’s time.
Through this comparative study, Buddhadasa Bhikkhu elucidates the depth and uniqueness of the Buddha’s insight into non-self, highlighting its significance for both philosophical inquiry and practical application in the pursuit of liberation from suffering.