Soul Theories

With regard to the soul theory, there are three kinds of teachers in the world:

1...The Eternalist teaches the existence of an eternal ego-entity that outlasts death.

2...The materialist teaches a temporary ego-entity which becomes annihilated at death.

3...The Buddha teaches neither eternal nor temporary ego-entity.

The Buddha teaches what we call ego, self, soul, or personality are merely conventional terms that do not refer to any real, independent entity.Those who believe in the existence of a soul cannot explain what it is or where it is to be found.

The Buddha's advice was not to waste time over this kind of unnecessary speculation. Instead, he advised we devote our talents to Awakening, coming to an experience with Reality.

When we have realized Awakening, we will be able to understand whether there is a soul or not-soul.

A wandering ascetic named Vacchagotta once asked the Buddha if there was an atman (self) or not. The story is told in this manner:

        Vaccagotta goes to the Buddha and asks, "Venerable Gautama, is there an atman?"
        The Buddha is silent.
        Vaccagotta asks, "Then, Venerable Gautama, is there no atman?"
        Again the Buddha is silent.
        Vaccagotta goes away.

After Vaccagotta had left, Ananda, the Buddha's attendant, asks why he did not answer.

"Ananda," the Buddha explained, "If I had answered 'there is a self" then that would be siding with the eternalist theory. If I had answered 'there is no self' I would be siding with the annihilationist theory."

"Again, Ananda, If I had said there is a self would that be in accord with my knowledge that all dharmas are without Self?"

"Surely not, Teacher," Ananda answered.

"And again, Ananda, If I had said there is no Self that would have created greater confusion for Vaccagotta who is already confused. He would have thought, 'I had a Atman and now I do not'."

The Buddha regarded soul-speculation as useless and illusory.

The Buddha once said, "Only through ignorance and delusion do men indulge in the dream that their souls are separate and self-existing entities. Their hearts still cling to Self. They are anxious about heaven and they seek the pleasure of Self in heaven. So they cannot see the peace of morality and ethics and the immortality of truth.

Selfish ideas appear in individual's mind due to the conception of Self and a craving for existence.