Anatta, a fundamental concept in Buddhism, refers to the doctrine of non-self or no-self.
It challenges the Hindu belief in an enduring, unchanging Soul or Self (आत्मन् Atman) that persists through time. Instead, Anatta posits that what we consider the "self" is merely a collection of ever-changing physical and mental constituents, known as the Five Aggregates (Skandhas): Form (Rupa), Sensation (Vedana), Perception (Sanna), Mental Formations (Sankhara), and Consciousness (Vinnana). According to this doctrine, clinging to the notion of a permanent self is a source of Suffering (दुःख Duḥkha) because it leads to attachment and delusion.
The understanding of Anatta is crucial for attaining enlightenment (निर्वाण Nirvāṇa). By realizing the absence of a fixed self, one can let go of egoistic desires and attachments, which are seen as the root causes of suffering. This realization is a key aspect of wisdom (Prajñā), one of The Three Disciplines of Buddhist practice, alongside ethical conduct (शील Śīla) and mental discipline (समाधि Samādhi).