What did Buddha mean when he said there is no self?

Photo by Blake Lisk on Unsplash

One of the deepest teachings of the Buddha and one of the most misunderstood is the doctrine of no self (anatta). It has to be carefully interpreted. When interpreted incorrectly, it may lead to nihilism — the rejection of all moral principles and individual responsibilities. After all, if the self does not exist, then why should we care about anything? Yet, the proper understanding of anatta is an…