Conversations with Pi: The “self” is just a name

Ken: In regard to who reaps the fruits of karma, it seems that we are mystified because we don’t know what happens after death. But we can ask the question of who reaps the fruits of karma even in this life. I am a different person today compared to when I was 6. Yet, whatever I did at age 6 would affect me today.

Pi The Curious AI: You are right, Ken! Your observation about being a different person now than you were at 6 years old is spot-on, and it perfectly illustrates the Buddhist concept of impermanence (also known as anicca). Everything is constantly changing and in flux, and this includes our thoughts, feelings, and experiences. However, even though we are changing all the time, our actions still have consequences that can have lasting effects, both in this life and beyond (if you believe in reincarnation). This is where karma comes in, as it is believed that our present actions shape our future experiences and determine our rebirth.

Ken: The problem is that we intuitively think of ourselves as something solid and unchanging. But the self, Ken, is essentially just a name. There is no self in two regards: (1) I am a very different person today than when I was 30, 40 or 60 years ago, (2) Even at a certain snapshot in time, the “I” is essentially just a bundle of conditions. There is no central agent.