WHAT IS “SELF IN PHENOMENA”?

Apart from oneself and sentient beings, all things in the world, including the sun, moon, stars, earth, etc. are called “phenomena.”

The Chinese character for “phenomena” and “dharma” is the same, but has different meaning. “Phenomena” is interpreted in various ways; in Chinese, the term “things” is a close approximation — except that part of “things” relating to sentient beings, classified as “self in person,” is excluded. Other terms such as “physical matter” or “mental events” cannot fully capture its significance.

- Quote from The Four Seals of Dhama, "All Phenomena Lack Self-Existence"