Buddhism stands unique in the history of human thought in denying the
existence of. . . a Soul, Self, or Atman. According to the teaching of the
Buddha, the idea of self is an imaginary, false belief which has no
corresponding reality, and it produces harmful thoughts of “me” and “mine,”
selfish desire, craving, attachment, hatred, ill-will, conceit, pride,
egoism, and other defilements, impurities and problems. It is the source of
all the troubles in the world from personal conflicts to wars between
nations. In short, to this false view can be traced all the evil in the
world.
–Walpola Rahula, What the Buddha Taught
from Everyday Mind, edited by Jean Smith, a Tricycle book