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Please see this answer for a detailed explanation of the lute analogy.

A summary of dependent origination with respect to the self, is that the self arises dependent on the inter-working of the five aggregates of form, feeling, perception, mental fabrications, and consciousness.

A summary of dependent origination with respect to the self, is that the self is a mental idea (Snp 4.14) that arises dependent on the inter-working of the five aggregates of form, feeling, perception, mental fabrications, and consciousness.

So, according to the middle way between eternalism and annihilationism, there is neither no self at all, nor a permanent absolute eternal standalone entity anywhere. The Buddha reinforces this by saying in MN2 that both the "I have a self" and "I have no self" views are inaccurate.

Here comes the concept of dependent origination, which is a very complex topic that we will not discuss here in detail.

So, according to the middle way between eternalism and annihilationism, there is neither no self at all, nor a permanent absolute eternal standalone entity anywhere.

Here comes the concept of dependent origination, which is a very complex topic.