THE TEACHING OF BUDDHA
BUKKYO DENDO KYOKAI
Chapter two
1
IMPERMANENCY AND EGOLESSNESS
1. Though both body and mind appear because of cooperating causes, it does not follow that there is an ego-personality. As the body of flesh is an aggregate of elements, it is, therefore, impermanent.
If the body were an ego-personality, it would do this and that as it would determine.
A king has the power to praise or punish as he wishes, but he becomes ill despite his intent or desire, he comes to old age unwillingly, and his fortune and his wishes often have little to do with each other.
Neither is the mind the ego-personality. The human mind is aggregate of causes and conditions. It is in constant change.
If the mind were an ego-personality, it could do this and that as it would determine; but the mind often flies from what it knows is right and chases after evil reluctantly. Still, nothing seems to happen exactly as its ego desires.