ANATTA

((Pali: non-self, or substanceless), ) Sanskrit Anatman, in Buddhism, the doctrine that there is in humans no permanent, underlying substance that can be called the soul. Instead, the individual is compounded of five factors of consciousness (Pali: khandha; Sanskrit: skandha) that are constantly changing. The concept of anatta, or anatman, is a departure from the Hindu belief in atman (the self). The absence of a self, anicca (the impermanence of all being), and dukkha (suffering) are the three characteristics of all existence (ti-lakkhana). Recognition of these three doctrinesanatta, anicca, and dukkhaconstitutes the right understanding, which is the first stage in the Buddhist system of spiritual discipline leading to enlightenment, known as the Eightfold Path.