..续本文上一页s, “I,” “me,” “myself” and “mine,” because one believes that a self truly exists and clings to it as though it were an independent thing. As a result, painful emotions (like anger, pride, greed, jealously, miserliness) arise and overwhelm one, bringing on many problems. Nobody is happy when problems arise; nobody wishes to be a victim of harmful emotions. But emotions do not disappear through wishful thinking. The Buddha spoke about the source of negative emotions and taught that they arise because one believes in a self and continuously clings to this thought. He explained why clinging to a self is the root of suffering and pain that disturbing emotions always bring on. He showed that when the erroneous belief in a truly existing self is overcome, then emotions cease. Wishfully thinking that one can eliminate the mistaken belief in a self does not work, though. Those who are lucky can take it upon themselves to investigate thoughts, such as “I am” or “I am acting.” By doing so, they discover that such concepts are based upon clinging to a self, and that clinging to a self is merely based upon the erroneous belief that a self exists of its own accord. By investigating carefully, one discovers that thoughts regarding a self are wrong. Noticing and actually seeing the error dispels it.

　　Where does the self that one thinks truly exists and clings to so strongly, exist

　　 Everyone”s life consists of a body, speech and mind. Searching for the self with linguistic skills shows that words are impermanent - they cease the moment they are spoken. So it is conclusive that speech is not an inherently existing thing nor that an independently existing self can be found in the faculty of speech. Let us therefore investigate whether the self is inside or is the body.

　　Many people believe that the body is the self or that the self resides in the body and live their lives based upon such mistaken assumptions. How can the body be an independent self

　　 It is comprised of so many parts. Should the body be the self, how many selves would an inpidual have

　　 For example, one may wonder whether the eyes, or ears, or nose, or other components that describe what is called “a head” are the actual “a head.” This example applies to the organs, limbs and other parts of the body, too. Every part of the body consists of many smaller parts and cells, so which part of the body would be the self if the self is the body

　　Chariots were a means of transportation during the times of Buddha Shakyamuni, therefore it was used to exemplify that a self does not exist as assumed. Questions were posed, “Is the carriage the chariot

　　 Is the axis the chariot

　　 Are the wheels the chariot

　　” and so forth. Seven parts of the chariot were checked to find where the chariot actually is located. Lord Buddha showed that the body, like the chariot, is not fit to be called an independently existing thing, and therefore it is conclusive that the body is not the self nor that an independently existing self can be found in the body. So, let us look at the mind.

　　What does one really known about the mind

　　 Like everything else, it constantly changes in a never-ending chain of moments of time, like pearls on a rosary. Now, the past is gone, the future has not set in, and the present moment is past. But one thinks and sees the mind as though it does not pass nor depend upon causes and conditions. The feeling that the self is an independent entity arises when one is born and lasts until death. This feeling contradicts reality, though. One”s consciousness (like one”s body and speech) depends upon many factors, therefore it is conclusive that the mind is neither the self nor that an inherently existing self can ever be found in the mind. Therefore, the thought that there is a self is a mistaken bel…

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