Buddhism asserts that there is no permanent self. How can one be liberated from the samsara if there is no per

Answer 1

No permanent self means that we are not a fixed being, however this does not mean there is no continuation.

When Buddhist talk about rebirth, we are not talking about reincarnation. We do not step out of one mortal shell simply to inhabit another.

A common analogy would be the candle and the flame. If you light a candle, you can watch the flame dance atop the wick. However, although the flame that is present when the candle was first lit may appear to be the flame that is there at the end of the candles life, we know that the molecules are in fact NOT the same and thus, technically it is not the same flame at all. In fact, you could say that moment to moment the flame dies and is reborn on the same wick, since in fact, the molecules of the fuel source are ignited and extinguish continually.

If we then use the flame of the dying candle in it's last moment of existence to light the wick of another candle, it may appear that the flame continued it's existence. However we knew that this is an illusion. If the flame is not the same flame moment to moment on a single candle, then it could not jump from one candle to another.

The flame, be it moment to moment or candle to candle, caries with it the attributes of the previous flame, such as heat, light, coloration, etc. However, it is also affected by the conditions of it's fuel, in this case the candle. If the candle uses a good wax, the flame burns bright and steady. If the wax is of poor quality, then the flame may change color or become smaller or less steady. The existence of the flame is dependent on the previous condition of the flame and it's current host or fuel source.

We operate in much the same way. Moment to moment that which we call the "US" or the "I" is extinguished and rekindled based on the "US" or "I" of a the previous moment and the environment around us. When are bodies die, that which is "US" or "I" is passed onto and our existence continues. That does not mean that a permanent self exists.

This is what is meant by rebirth without a permanent self.

I hope this helps.

Answer 2

Life is in constant flux, if there was something permanent, unchanging---then there will be some parts that will not age, change shape, wear away, metamorphosize, etc. If you look around closely and carefully though, you'll begin to understand the true nature of how things work, you'll see and realize that humans, material things, nature, Earth, are made up of different elements---moving, transforming, building, unbuilding, wearing away, dissipating, etc.

A person becomes liberated from samsara once he or she has 'awaken' to the true nature of things and learns to "blow-out'' the need to 'attach' to things the person thinks will not change or think will last forever.

Human beings are so busy trying to escape the realities of life because a lot of times it is painful; we have become "addicted'' to things that give us a "high" in order to numb us from experiencing pain. When we find something comforting, we immediately drop everything to focus on retaining or repeating that pleasureable, assuring sensation forgetting that what is pleasureable or assuring does not necessarily mean "liberation" but a road to more suffering.

Perhaps it might help to explore the other side of the coin...if you change your views to consider the opposites of what you have been taught, conditioned in, indoctrinated into---what do you think will happen? Try taking away this view of that there is a "soul" or "permanent self" ---what is left? What is really there? Flesh, organs, saliva, fluids, hair, nails, teeth, air, solids, heat, cold, etc.

the life cycle continues...

Answer 3

Buddhism asserts no such factor. The oldest Buddhist texts (the Nikayas) in basic terms say not one of the skhandas are the self. in basic terms later Buddhist writers made this into denying any self. Their place isn't defensible from the source records. "we are in basic terms instructed what isn't the self and subsequently what the self isn't. previous that the only factor we are instructed is that the self is transcendent and subsequently ineffable, previous our powers of comprehension." (one million) Any logical argument with regards to the life or non-life of this transcendental self unavoidably falls into absurdity. (2)

Answer 4

It is because of the wrong view that there is a permanent self that we are'stuck' in the cycle of samsara.When a person has realised the truth of impermanent,suffering and non-self thru'meditation than 'he/she' can be liberated from samsara.
There are 3 levels of insight:knowing,understanding and having understood it.
You are right in the sense that ultimately there is no 'ONE'.When you know,understand and have understood that there is no 'ONE', you are enlighten!