CHAPTER 3

Concepts of Self:
Eastern Philosophy
• Varied cultural orientations have developed ideas towards a better understanding of the
complexities of the self. There is a continuous quest to find explanations as to the real nature of
being human and the self for the attainment of enlightenment. Hence, while Western Philosophy
focuses on individualistic nature Eastern thoughts centralized on collective existence and
always for the benefit of the larger community. Different civilizations from the Sumerian,
Babylonian, and Hebrew consider man as a mere extension of his Creator such as in the
Western civilization where man is considered as an artifact of the gods. It is different from
Eastern conception where man is in unity with God, In the East, the idea of the self is indeed
one of complete unity with the creator-Man is God, acted out in a multitude of different ways, as
an actor plays a part in a drama. In the West, it is clear that the idea of the self is perceived as
distinct from God-the pot is distinct from the potter, with man as the artifact of creation. Within all
mythology, there are certain reoccurring archetypes and ideas that speak to the universality of
the human experience. However, what can be fundamentally different in mythologies, as I have
just shown, is the role of man and his relation with the cosmos at large. Not only is
understanding these differences useful in analyzing the writings of a mythology, but also in
understanding the various conceptions and images of the self currently held by individuals
around the world, and their implications for how people behave and act on a grand scale. Only
through knowing and understanding these differing conceptions of the self can people begin to
truly understand other cultures and ways of thinking, as well as perhaps glean a small portion of
the vast knowledge and wisdom encoded in the great mythologies and religions of the world.
BUDDHISM
• Siddharta Gautama Buddha developed a doctrine called as
Anatta, often defined as 'no-self' or the principle that nothing is
permanent and that no one is an independent entity as we are
all a part of a collective whole. Buddha explained that there is
no unchanging self. The reality of the Dukkha or suffering and
Anicca or impermanence is the truth about this existence.
• The Anatta doctrine states that there is anything called a 'self
as belief in this leads to Dukkha which of course is mere
suffering and pain. Buddhism as a doctrine argues that there is
'no-soul or no-self. However it is believed that every human
has a mind and body as well as a stream of consciousness.
• Buddhist's principle points onto the ego as the expression
of the five (5) components called the 'skandas' which make
up a person. These are;
1. Form which comprises the body and the sense organs;
2. Sensations which are the processes created by the senses in
contact with the external environment;
3. Perception which is recognition of objects according to one's
senses;4. Mental formations or our predispositions, tendencies,
traits, habits; and5. Consciousness which is awareness about a
stimulus from the internal or external environment.
HINDUISM
• The 'self in the Upanishads finds its place in "The Story of
Creation," pertaining to the creation of the universe and of
man. The part begins where the 'self was all alone in the
person of Purusha. The true nature of man is described as
"Brahman," which means 'the self. The main ideas in
Hinduism involves:
1. The concept of God (Brahman. which is the most supreme entity;
2. There is reincarnation where a soul passes through different
physical bodies as it is destined to undergo what it deserve in
accordance with Karma;
3. The Atman or the soul that is also Brahman;
4. The World we are living in is comprised of varied levels of
existence; and
5. The paths to salvation which are all similar to other doctrines which
evidently leads to the same goal.
TAOISM
• Taoism as the doctrine based on the philosophy of Lao Tzu says that 'Knowing others
is wisdom. Knowing the self is enlightenment. He stressed that understanding others
requires force but mastering the self requires power and strength. For Lao Tzu, the
world and this life are good as there are the element guiding us to experience harmony
through the "Dao". The Taoists' Bible called the Tao Te Ching gives and explains
processes on how to live a good life through the 'Dao' or the 'Way' of the World which is
the path to happiness and harmony Lao Tzu says that humans refuse to take the
simple path and opt to go through that which causes discord, confusion and suffering.
Lao Tzu teaches 'stillness to the mind' and to let go of all worries, confusions and just
experience the world. He pointed out that nature was never in a hurry that everything
happens in its perfect time and its right schedule such as the blooming of flowers.
Emptying ourselves of the negative, confusing and worrisome thoughts we go back to
what is important in our lives. Lao everything, let your mind become still." If we are too
busy, too preoccupied with anxiety or ambition, we will miss a thousand moments of the
human experience that are our natural inheritance. We need to be awake to the way
light reflects off of ripples on a pond, the way other people look when they are laughing,
the feeling of the wind playing with our hair. These experiences reconnect us to parts of
ourselves. And we suddenly become in touch with our real selves and suddenly we
recall how good we are on some things and how we enjoy simple life pleasures like
walking along the seashore.
Taoist's principle reiterates how our ego distracts us in seeing our true self. There is a
need to let go to be self-determined, to be what you ought to be.
CONFUCIANISM
• Confucianism identifies personality as a product of
one's upbringing and environment. This shows that the
individual is a social being which makes us 'social
animals'. In this doctrine it is believed that every person
is born with four beginnings which lead to the formation
of a 'self. It includes the following components which
are the perfection of virtues that is found innately in the
heart of every human:
1. Heart of compassion;
2. Heart of righteousness;
3. Heart of propriety; and
4. Heart of wisdom.