The Self

If the self were the aggregates making up a person (the material form and the mental components), it would be subject to arising and ceasing. If the self were other than these aggregates, it would not have the characteristics of the aggregates. When the self does not exist, how can there be anything belonging to the self? From the stilling of the sense of "self" and "belonging to a self," one is free of the ideas of "mine" and "I." One who is free of the ideas of "mine" and "I" is not found. In addition, one who sees someone as "free of mine" or "free of I" still does not see correctly. When "mine" and "I" are destroyed with respect to both outer and inner phenomena, the acquisition of a new rebirth is stopped; and from the stopping of such acquisition, future births are destroyed.

From the destruction of the afflictions resulting from karmic actions, there is a liberation from rebirth. The afflictions arise from thoughts that make distinctions between entities. These thoughts come from projecting distinctions onto reality. But such conceptual projections cease through emptiness.

The idea "There is a self" has been disclosed. That "There is no self" has been taught. But by the Buddha it has been taught "There is neither the self nor indeed what is not the self whatsoever." When the domain of thought has ceased, then what can be named has ceased. The buddhas' teaching is this; everything is neither real nor not real.

The characteristic of what is actually real is this: not dependent upon another, peaceful, free of being projected upon by conceptual projections, free of thoughts that make distinctions, and without multiplicity. Whatever arises dependently upon another thing is not that thing, nor is it different from that thing. Therefore, it is neither annihilated nor eternal. Not one, not diverse, not annihilated, not eternal -- this is the immortal teaching of the buddhas, the guides of the world. When the fully-enlightened buddhas no longer appear, and when the disciples have disappeared, the knowledge of the solitary buddhas will come forth without a teacher.

---The Fundamental Verses of the Middle Way 18:1-12, by Nagarjuna---