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Annihilation Quote by Nhat Hanh

“There is no birth, there is no death; there is no coming, there is no going; there is no same, there is no different; there is no permanent self, there is no annihilation. We only think there is.” quote by Nhat Hanh
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“There is no birth, there is no death; there is no coming, there is no going; there is no same, there is no different; there is no permanent self, there is no annihilation. We only think there is.”

Nhat Hanh

About This Quote

Source Book: The Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching, Thich Nhat Hanh, 1998

Our sense of self and existence is a mental construct; there is no inherent, permanent identity or birth‑death cycle.

In simple terms: Self is an illusion; nothing is permanent.

Key Takeaway

Observe thoughts without clinging to identity.

Themes

philosophy spirituality impermanence

Mood

contemplative calm

Type

philosophical mindful

When to use this quote

  • meditation practice
  • counseling
  • conflict resolution
  • grief support

Key Concepts

Buddhist doctrine non‑self emptiness

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does recognizing impermanence affect your relationships?
  • Can you notice moments when you cling to a fixed self?
A Different Perspective

Applying non‑self concepts can be challenging in daily social roles.

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