Insight Spring 2020

The Interconnectedness of Two Central Concepts in Buddhism and Hinduism: Anatta & Atman Dhruv Khurjekar ’22 On the surface, Anatta and Atman are the literal opposite. However, the two are inextricably woven and one cannot be comprehended without the full context of the other. Although the creation of the two concepts is chronologically separated by centuries, they are deeply connected, with one creating the need, and conjured to alleviate its unintended consequences, for the other. Atman, “the Self, Soul, and Indwelling spirit,” is a central concept in Hindu philosophy (Bhaskarananda 202). Anatta, literally translated as “non-Soul”, is the absence of a Soul and is relevant in Buddhist teachings (Fronsdal). This simplistic contrast between Atman and Anatta deserves careful delineation rather than simply treating them as antonyms because of the very different contexts in which the two were introduced.

After exploring these two keystone concepts of Hinduism and Buddhism, I find that the two ultimately serve the common purpose of leading a practitioner onto a similar spiritual path of selflessness.

The Hindu teaching regarding Atman, both in the early scriptures as well as in subsequent literature to this day, has been consistent in characterizing Atman as the quality of the self that is unmanifested. Atman is distinct from the physical, mental or intellectual qualities of human beings in the form of their body, mind or thought (Radhakrishnan). Once these outer layers of appearance, imagination, and emotion are removed from the Self, the Soul or Atman remains. Due to every individual having an Atman within, devoid of the external differences, it is the universal equalizer to obviate hate or hierarchy or any reason for any entity in the universe to not love the other and co-exist in harmony. At its essence, Atman has been explained as the inner God, the true Self that is one with Brahman, the universal God, and therefore every being in the universe is essentially a manifestation of the Brahman via the Atman, which resides within the Self (Radhakrishnan). This elegant exposition of Atman continues to form the basis of the core philosophy of Hinduism, Vasudeva Kutumbakam, which means the whole universe is a family and therefore guides the practicing Hindu on the path of selfless love for the universe as a means towards true happiness (“Vasudeva Kutumbakam”).

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