Nairatmya

Nairatmya refers to the Buddhist concept of selflessness or no-self. It is the understanding that there is no permanent, independent, or unchanging self (Atman) within a person or any other phenomenon. Instead, what we perceive as "self" is a constantly changing aggregation of physical and mental constituents (the five skandhas: form, feeling, perception, mental formations, and consciousness).

Nairatmya is a fundamental doctrine in Buddhism, directly challenging the Brahmanical Hindu notion of Atman. It is considered essential for attaining liberation (Nirvana) because attachment to a false sense of self is seen as a primary cause of suffering (Dukkha).

The concept is often explored through analysis of the five skandhas, demonstrating that none of them individually, nor in combination, constitute a stable and enduring self. Each skandha is impermanent (Anicca) and subject to arising, changing, and ceasing.

Nairatmya is related to, but distinct from, the concept of emptiness (Sunyata). While Nairatmya focuses on the absence of a self, Sunyata extends this absence to all phenomena, suggesting that nothing has inherent existence independently of other factors. However, understanding Nairatmya is considered a crucial step towards realizing Sunyata.

Different schools of Buddhism interpret and emphasize Nairatmya in various ways. Some focus on the practical implications for reducing attachment and suffering, while others emphasize the philosophical understanding of the nature of reality. Regardless of the specific approach, Nairatmya remains a core principle within Buddhist thought and practice.