In almost every instance within the Pali Canon, the word 'sabbe' ('sabba') means 'all,' not 'the all.'
"Sabbe dhamma anatta'ti" means "All dhammas (phenomena) are non-self
(or void of self). This includes both the Unconditioned (Nibbana/
Nirvana), and the conditioned (everything else).
Whenever someone tries to 'prove' that the Buddha taught something
that is the exact opposite of what he really did teach--the doctrine
of anatta--such attempts quickly reveals a non-Buddhist agenda. Lots
of Hindus, Theosophists, and others--many with the best of intentions--
have attempted to remove anatta from Buddhism, but all have failed.
As an unnamed Bhikkhu once said, "No anatta--no Buddhism."
If one doesn't understand anatta, or disagrees with it, that's fine--
but one should be honest about it, in either case.
Next subject?
--Metta Jon
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