How does this philosophical account reconcile Buddhist non-self with rebirth and spiritual practice?

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This conceptual philosophical study examines the educational implications of non-self, a core Buddhist doctrine. Buddhist non-self, described as denying the existence of an “I,” arose in criticism of the Upanishadic view of self centered on atman.

Both Buddhism and the Upanishads accept rebirth, or samsara. However, opinions differ on whether rebirth requires a subject—someone or something that undergoes rebirth. Acknowledging such a subject may appear to conflict with non-self. Within Buddhism, the view that accepting non-self and rebirth together is problematic has therefore been raised repeatedly.

This study takes a different position: non-self is not directly related to the question of the subject of rebirth. Instead, its meaning should be understood in relation to Buddhist practice. In this account, practice changes a mistaken view that clings to, or limits the self to, the empirical self into a correct view that understands the empirical self in relation to the metaphysical self and seeks to bring them into alignment.

The study identifies Buddhist non-self as the metaphysical self reached through practice. It therefore concludes that non-self is established through Buddhist practice.