The Advantages of Realizing the Doctrine of Anatta
by The Venerable Ledi Sayadaw, Agga Maha Pandita, D.Litt. [Extracts from Anattaa-Dipani . Adapted from the translation by U Sein Nyo Tun. From The Light of Dhamma (Rangoon), viii, 2.] I shall show here the advantages arising from the realization of the characteristic of not-self ( anattaa ). If one can clearly perceive the characteristic of anattaa, one achieves the knowledge pertaining to the path of stream-entry ( sotaapatti-magga-~naa.na ), wherein ego-delusion ( atta-di.t.thi ) and personality belief ( sakkaaya-di.t.thi ) are totally eradicated. ANATTAA REALIZATION AND PAST KAMMA All beings who drift and circle in the long and beginningless round of rebirths called sa"msaara rarely encounter the teachings of a Buddha. They may not encounter them for the time of even a hundred thousand world-cycles. They may not get the opportunity of hearing of a Buddha's teachings even once while an infinite number of world-cycles elapse. The number of ex...