Anicca-dukkha-anattan in the Khandha-saṃyutta

Abstract

There are many suttas related to so-called the anicca-dukkha-anattan doctrine in the Khandha-saṃyutta. My exhaustive research of suttas in the Khandha-saṃyutta makes it clear that the theme of the Khandha-saṃyutta may be summarized as follows; rūpa [vedanā saññā saṃkhārā viññāṇa] which is anicca, dukkha and unstable by nature should be regarded as it really is, by right insight, “this is not mine, I am not this, this is not the Self of me.” Anicca and dukkha are preached as an introductory guide to anattan. Therefore the anicca-dukkha-anattan doctrine is simply the anattan doctrine. The meaning of anattan is not “no Self,” but “not Self.”