A human being consists of two components: the physical and the mental. The idea that there exists a "self"of that human being arises from these two elements or components. Physically, the "self " is constructed from many body parts and internal organs inside a bag of skin, with hair, teeth, nails, and all kinds of long and short bones, veins, tendons, knee caps, etc. There are also air, fat and fluids to fill up the bag. Once the human being dies, these elements will decompose or dry up, and sooner or later there is no physical part left of what used to be called "Jane" or "John." Maybe some hair, some teeth, a broken skull, and a few teeth left, but they will change and cannot last forever. The physical elements of the body will return to the basic chemicals of a living thing: carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen, phosphorous, and sulfur.
Mentally, the "self" is built up on the assumptions that the human being's thinking, thoughts, expressions through speech, emotions, feelings and perceptions in general make up what is his/her own mind, character, personality and view of life. When the human thinks or utters a word or a statement, s/he wants to let others know: "I thought so," or "I said so." The idea of the "I" arises based on the assumption that there is a separate entity that possesses and controls the brain, the nerve cells, the tongue, and all thought or language processes.
The awakening question is: Is there really such a separate entity called "I" or "self"?
The enlightening answer is: No.
When you meditate in calm and stillness, you will gradually develop the ability to see that physically and mentally the "self" is like a "chariot" or a "house." There is the assumption that there exists a "chariot" or a "house," but it is only a nomination, a label or a name to call such an impermanent "existence." There are the spokes, the body frame, the wheels, the gears... which make up what is called the "chariot." But there exists no separate "chariot" without the elements called "spokes, body frame, wheels, gears" which form it. Similarly, there are the roof, the beams, the bricks, the plaster, the windows, the doors, the glass, the pillars and columns...which make up what is called the "house." But there is no separate "house" which exists outside or without those elements called "roof, beams, bricks, plaster, windows, doors, glass, pillars, columns." Once the chariot or the house is ruined or destroyed, burned or demolished, we cannot find either the "chariot" or the "house."
The Buddha achieved Enlightenment at the end of His 49-day sitting in meditation. He clearly saw the emptiness of the physical and mental "self" as well as the emptiness of all phenomena. With the realization of No self comes the end of ignorance and complete Liberation from birth and death.
But No Self does not mean nihilism (nothingness in its extreme form). The Buddha did not expound or advocate extremes. Buddhism is fundamentally the Middle Way that helps to liberate all beings from suffering. It is more dangerous if one understands Buddhism half way through or in a shallow manner. One had better learn more, and practice further.
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