Tracing The Source Of Buddhist “An?tman”

The main purpose of this dissertation is not to discuss “An?tman” under Original Buddhism theoretical system,but to explore the meaning of this concept on the perspective of development in early Indian religious thought and culture.From this perspective,the article corresponds the three levels of “An?tman” with the three main principles of early Indian religion(Brahminism),and sorts out this development process with the thread which is the understanding and attitude towards three kinds of relationship(divine-human relationship,secular-human relationship and human relationship).In the end,the article derives the connotation of ??kyamuni's “An?tman” and the meaning of its proposed.Firstly,the article explores the meaning of “An?tman” on the perspective of Original Buddhism,and reveal that this concept was used in different situations after analyzing the sacred text.On the basis of this conclusion,the article separates ??kyamuni's “An?tman” into three levels,that is,“no inner self”,“no outer self”,and “no social self”.And then,the article connects these three levels of “An?tman” with the three main principles of early Indian religion to go beyond the limitation of studying the concept of “An?tman” under Original Buddhism theoretical system.Secondly,the article sorts out the changing of religious thought among vedic period,and outlines the changing process of three kinds of relationship from ?gveda to Upani?ads.And then the article points out that people's attitude towards Gods in ancient India experienced a changing process from being afraid of Gods to utilizing Gods,and then to being one with God(that is,Tat Tvam Asi),which reflects the changing of divine-human relationship.Correspondingly,secular-human relationship and human relationship also change with the change of divine-human relationship.Finally,the article researches ??kyamuni's reflection towards the three main principles of early Indian religion and connects these with the three levels of “An?tman” respectively,to emphasize that the concept of “An?tman” is a breakthrough and transcendence proposed by ??kyamuni after his reflection.And then,based on these analyses,the article reinterprets the concept of “An?tman”,results that,from the perspective of any level of “An?tman”,??kyamuni never denied “?tman” thoroughly,especially on “inner self”,on the surface,it is manifested as ??kyamuni's negation of "?tman ",while on the deep level,it is his affirmation of the “inner self” of every individual.