anatman

This term describes a central tenet of Buddhist philosophy, emphasizing the absence of a permanent, autonomous essence within the individual. It functions as a direct philosophical counterpoint to the concept of atman, shifting the focus from a static identity to a process of constant change and interdependence.

As a specialized technical term derived from Sanskrit, it is treated as an uncountable noun in English. It refers to a conceptual doctrine or a state of being rather than a discrete object, meaning it does not take a plural form and is not used with indefinite articles like a or an in most philosophical contexts.