One of the fundamental teachings of the Buddha is that we do not have a permanent, unchanging, and independent "self".  However, we believe we do have such a "self", and as a result, we engage in karmic actions that trap us in the cycle of rebirth, which means continual rebecoming in new existences, which is suffering because they are impermanent.  Buddhist practice is focused on breaking down this illusionary belief in a self so we can encounter our true self and existence which is impermanent, ever-changing, and interdependent on other phenomena.  When we do this, we can live in our natural state of Nirvana free of the Three Fires/Poisons of ignorance, greed, and anger.

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