Imagine hearing the Buddha, on the very threshold of passing away, speaking not of “no-self” but of an immortal essence residing in every being. The Mahaparinirvana Sūtra turns conventional expectations on their head: this “Self” isn’t the egoic, grabby self that clings to possessions, status, or even identity. It’s the Tathāgatagarbha—the Buddha-nature—an unshakable core, pure and untouched by life’s roller-coaster of joys and sorrows.

Far from slipping into nihilism, the sūtra offers a lifeline: acknowledging an eternal Self wards off the despair that comes with thinking everything simply vanishes. No longer caught between the dual extremes of eternalism and annihilationism, practitioners find a middle way that’s both hopeful and liberating. Like discovering a hidden gem in a familiar landscape, this teaching reframes “no-self” (anātman) teachings without throwing out the baby with the bathwater.

The term “Self” here serves multiple purposes. First, it counters the misunderstanding that “no-self” means “nothing.” Instead, it points to an underlying reality—an intrinsic Buddha-essence—waiting to be uncovered. Second, it reassures that genuine freedom isn’t about chasing fleeting pleasures but about awakening to this ever-present light. In modern mindfulness circles, this resonates with the notion of inherent worth and dignity in each person, dovetailing nicely with movements emphasizing mental health and self-compassion.

Schools from Japan’s Tendai to Tibetan Vajrayāna have drawn on this emphasis, weaving it into rituals and art. Today, when voices everywhere grapple with alienation and burnout, the Mahaparinirvana Sūtra’s “Self” can feel like a ray of hope. Not as a boastful “I am better,” but as an invitation: there’s something timeless within, ready to guide through life’s twists and turns.