Selfless Persons

Exploring the Buddhist doctrine of annattá, the author delves into the concept of "not-self," challenging the notion of a permanent self or soul. The book contextualizes this doctrine within its Brahman roots and examines how the Theravada tradition constructs a philosophical understanding of personal identity despite denying self. With a strong philosophical focus, the author incorporates insights from anthropology, linguistics, sociology, and comparative religion to uncover the foundational elements of Buddhist culture and relate these ideas to Western thought.