Anatta

According to Collins, the Suttas present the doctrine in three forms.
  • First, they apply the "no-self, no-identity" investigation to all phenomena as well as any and all objects, yielding the idea that "all things are not-self" (sabbe dhamma anattā). 
  • Second, states Collins, the Suttas apply the doctrine to deny self of any person, treating conceit to be evident in any assertion of "this is mine, this I am, this is myself" (etam mamam eso 'ham asmi, eso me atta ti).
  • Third, the Theravada texts apply the doctrine as a nominal reference, to identify examples of "self" and "not-self," respectively the Wrong view and the Right view; 
This third case of nominative usage is properly translated as "self" (as an identity) and is unrelated to "soul," states Collins. The first two usages incorporate the idea of soul.

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