Searching for the Self

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The view of absolutism superimposes false ways of existence, whereas the nihilistic view negates what does in fact exist. Chapter 10 looks more closely at the extreme of absolutism, as this is the view that we ordinary sentient beings usually cling to. Chapter 11 speaks of the two extremes as presented in the Pāli tradition and the three characteristics of impermanence, duḥkha, and not-self that counter the absolutist views. Chapter 12 goes into some of the many arguments presented in the Pāli tradition that help to overcome clinging to a false notion of the I. Although the arguments to support selflessness in the Sanskrit tradition are expounded in the next volume of the Library of Wisdom and Compassion, readers who are already familiar with these will see the similarities with arguments found in the Pāli sūtras. .