NAME: AUDU ACHETU DORIS

MATRIC NO: BHU/20/07/01/0001

DEPARTMENT: PHILOSOPHY
FACULTY: ARTS

DISCUSS THE CONCEPT OF

SELF ACCORDING TO
BUDDHUISM AND HINDUISM
According to Buddhism, the concept of self is considered to be an
illusion or a misconception. Buddhists believe in the doctrine of Anatta,
which suggests that there is no permanent, unchanging or independent
self or soul. They see the self as a product of various interconnected
causes and conditions, constantly changing and evolving. The idea is
that our sense of self arises from attachment and clinging to
impermanent things, causing suffering. By recognizing and letting go of
this illusion, Buddhist aim to achieve enlightenment and liberation from
the cycle of rebirth and suffering.
In Hinduism, the concept of self, or Atman, is seen as eternal,
unchanging, and divine. Hindu philosophy suggests that every individual
has an inner self that is connected to the universal consciousness,
Brahman. The journey of self-realization in Hinduism involves
understanding the true nature of the self and recognizing the unity with
the divine. Unlike Buddhism, Hinduism believes in reincarnation and the
continuation of the self beyond a single lifetime.
The concept of self, or “Atman” in Hinduism and “Anatta” in Buddhism,
reflects distinctive perspectives on personal identity, existence, and the
nature of reality.
Hinduism: Atman and Brahman:
In Hinduism, the self is often referred to as “Atman.” According to
Advaita Vedanta, a major philosophical school within Hinduism, Atman is
considered eternal, unchanging, and identical to the ultimate reality
known as “Brahman.” Brahman is the cosmic, unchanging, and all-
encompassing principle that underlies and unites the diversity of the
universe. The realization of the identity between Atman and Brahman is
a central goal in Advaita Vedanta, emphasizing the transcendental
nature of the self and its connection to the divine.
In contrast, other schools of Hindu thought, such as Dvaita Vedanta,
propose a dualistic perspective where the individual Atman is distinct
from Brahman. While acknowledging a connection between the
individual self and the ultimate reality, Dvaita Vedanta maintains a
separation, emphasizing devotion to a personal deity.
Buddhism: Anatta and Impermanence:
Buddhism, particularly in the Theravada tradition, rejects the notion of a
permanent and unchanging self. The concept of “Anatta”(non-self) posits
that there is no enduring essence or soul(Atman) within an individual.
Instead, Buddhists assert that what we conventionally identify as the self
is a collection of impermanent and interdependent elements.
According to the Buddhist perspective, the self is an ever-changing
aggregation of five skandhas or aggregates: form, sensation, perception,
mental formations, and consciousness. These aggregates constantly
arise and cease, devoid of a permanent core. The recognition of Anatta
is pivotal in Buddhism’s understanding of suffering and the path to
liberation. By realizing the absence of a fixed self, individuals can
overcome attachment and craving, leading to the cessation of suffering
(Nirvana).
Comparison:
In essence, Hinduism tends to uphold the idea of a transcendent,
unchanging self (Atman) that is ultimately identical to the cosmic reality
(Brahman). This perspective aligns with a more eternalist view of
personal identity.
On the contrary, Buddhism challenges the notion of a permanent self
and emphasizes the impermanence and interdependence of all
phenomena. The absence of a fixed self is crucial for breaking free from
the cycle of birth and rebirth (samsara) and attaining enlightenment.
While both traditions acknowledge the importance of understanding the
nature of the self for spiritual progress, they diverge in their
conceptualization of whether the self is eternal and unchanging
(Hinduism) or impermanent and devoid of a permanent essence
(Buddhism). These philosophical distinctions have profound implications
for their respective paths to spiritual realization and liberation.