Question

What does Buddhism mean by "self does not exist"?

Answer 1

Buddhism asserts that there is in humans no permanent, underlying substance that can be called the self. Instead, the individual is compounded of factors that are constantly changing. According to Buddhism, no matter how one defines the line between "self" and "other," the notion of self involves an element of self-identification and clinging, and thus suffering and stress. Thus, the concept of having no such thing as a self is a strategy for shedding suffering by letting go of its cause, leading to the highest, undying happiness.