How Does Buddhism Define The Self?

Buddhists define the “self” according to the Upanisadic tradition, i.e., that the self is an inner, permanent manifestation of the essence of an individual. Based upon this definition, Buddhists teachings contend that this permanent self cannot exist, and that to believe in a permanent self causes selfishness that inevitably leads to suffering. The Buddha teaches that to believe in a permanent, substantial self ultimately causes a person to become selfish and egoistic, and that this self-possession breeds disatisfactoriness (duhkha) in the world. In his First Sermon, the Buddha identifies the cause of duhkha: “Now this, O monks, is the noble truth of the cause of dukkha: that craving which leads to rebirth, combined with pleasure and passion, finding pleasure here and there.” This craving is identified as a person’s desire to possess and control the things in life, and that this selfish behavior ultimately causes the world’s suffering.
One can cause themselves to suffer, such as those who would practice extreme asceticism in their quest for spirituality. On the other hand, a person’s desires can harm others, like if one practices self-indulgence at the expense of another. Even if one does possess the object of their desire, the impermanent nature of all things means that the satisfaction that is gained from possession is fleeting. As such, the craving that exists as a result of the egoistic belief in an eternal self is ultimately harmful or impermanent, and will inevitably cause someone