12.1 Advaita Vedānta: Non-dualism and māyā
2 min read•july 25, 2024
, a key school of Indian philosophy, centers on . It teaches that all reality is fundamentally one, rejecting separation in ultimate existence. Śaṅkara's interpretation emphasizes the non-dual nature of and , challenging the reality of the phenomenal world.
The concept of plays a crucial role in Advaita Vedānta. This cosmic veils Brahman's true nature, creating the appearance of multiplicity. Māyā functions by concealing reality and projecting the illusory world, which can be overcome through knowledge and self-realization.
Core Concepts of Advaita Vedānta
Concept of non-dualism in Śaṅkara
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- Non-dualism (advaita) asserts fundamental unity of all reality rejects plurality or separation in ultimate existence
- Śaṅkara's interpretation emphasizes non-dual nature of Brahman and Ātman argues against reality of phenomenal world
- Levels of reality: Paramārthika (absolute Brahman), Vyāvahārika (empirical world), Prātibhāsika (illusions, misperceptions)
- Analogies: Rope mistaken for snake in dim light, waves not separate from ocean illustrate non-dual nature
Role of māyā in Advaita Vedānta
- Māyā cosmic illusion veils true nature of Brahman creates appearance of multiplicity and difference
- Functions: Concealing (āvaraṇa) hides true reality, Projecting (vikṣepa) projects illusory phenomenal world
- Māyā (cosmic illusion) and avidyā (individual ignorance) interrelated concepts explain perceived duality
- Relationship to Brahman: Neither real nor unreal (anirvacanīya) dependent on Brahman but not affecting its nature
- Overcome through knowledge (jñāna) and self-realization recognizing illusory nature of phenomenal world
Metaphysics and Soteriology
Brahman and Ātman relationship
- Identity expressed in Upaniṣadic mahāvākya "Tat Tvam Asi" (That Thou Art) individual self (jīva) identical to universal self (Brahman)
- Characteristics: Sat (existence), Cit (consciousness), Ānanda (bliss) Nirguṇa (without attributes) Saguṇa (with attributes for worship)
- Apparent distinction result of māyā and avidyā overcome through self-realization
- Ātman as witness consciousness (sākṣin) unchanging observer of mental states unaffected by mind fluctuations
Self-realization process in Śaṅkara's philosophy
- Prerequisites: Viveka (discrimination), Vairāgya (dispassion), Śamādi-ṣaṭka-sampatti (six virtues), Mumukṣutva (desire for liberation)
- Spiritual practice stages:
- Śravaṇa: Listening to qualified guru's teachings
- Manana: Reflection and reasoning on teachings
- Nididhyāsana: Deep meditation on non-dualism truth
- Knowledge (jñāna) direct means to mokṣa (liberation) combines intellectual understanding and intuitive realization
- Jīvanmukti (liberation while living) realizes true nature while embodied continues prārabdha karma until death
- Videhamukti (final liberation) dissolves individual identity merges with Brahman upon physical death
Key Terms to Review (14)
Adi Shankaracharya: Adi Shankaracharya was an influential Indian philosopher and theologian who lived in the early 8th century CE, known for consolidating the doctrine of Advaita Vedānta, a non-dualistic school of thought in Hindu philosophy. His teachings emphasized the oneness of the individual soul (Atman) with the ultimate reality (Brahman), shaping the landscape of Indian philosophical traditions.
Advaita Vedānta: Advaita Vedānta is a school of Indian philosophy that emphasizes non-dualism, asserting that the ultimate reality, Brahman, is one and indivisible, while the individual self, or Atman, is essentially the same as Brahman. This philosophy introduces the concept of māyā, or illusion, which explains the perceived duality of existence and how it distracts from the realization of this fundamental unity. By understanding Advaita Vedānta, one can appreciate the broader context of different interpretations within Vedānta and their implications for spiritual understanding.
ātman: Ātman is a fundamental concept in Indian philosophy, referring to the true self or soul of an individual. It represents the essence of one's being, often equated with consciousness and the ultimate reality. This idea connects deeply with various philosophical schools, influencing debates on the nature of existence and liberation.
Brahma Sutras: The Brahma Sutras are a foundational text of Vedanta philosophy that codify the teachings of the Upanishads and present a systematic interpretation of the concepts of Brahman (ultimate reality) and Atman (individual self). They play a crucial role in the development of Indian philosophy, particularly in clarifying the nature of reality and consciousness, linking philosophical thought to historical periods, key figures, and various Vedanta schools.
Brahman: Brahman is the ultimate, unchanging reality in Indian philosophy, representing the cosmic spirit or absolute consciousness that pervades everything. It serves as the foundation of existence and is closely tied to the concepts of Atman (the self) and the universe, influencing various philosophical traditions and schools of thought in India.
Illusion: Illusion refers to a deceptive perception of reality, often understood in philosophical contexts as a misrepresentation of the true nature of existence. In certain philosophies, particularly within non-dualism, it highlights how individuals perceive the world through a lens clouded by ignorance and misunderstanding, leading to a fragmented view of reality. This understanding of illusion is crucial for recognizing the ultimate unity of all things, emphasizing the need for enlightenment to see beyond these misconceptions.
Māyā: Māyā refers to the concept of illusion or the deceptive nature of the material world in Indian philosophy, particularly within Vedānta traditions. It describes how the ultimate reality, Brahman, is obscured by the transient and illusory nature of worldly phenomena, leading individuals to perceive duality and separation. Understanding māyā is crucial for realizing the non-dualistic nature of existence and for navigating the path to liberation.
Moksha: Moksha is the ultimate goal of human existence in Indian philosophy, representing liberation from the cycle of birth and death (samsara) and union with the divine or ultimate reality. It signifies a state of eternal bliss and freedom from all forms of suffering, where the individual soul (Atman) realizes its oneness with Brahman, the universal spirit.
Non-dualism: Non-dualism is a philosophical concept that emphasizes the fundamental unity of all existence, asserting that there is no true separation between the individual self and the ultimate reality or consciousness. This perspective challenges the conventional dualistic view that separates subject from object and emphasizes a holistic understanding of existence where everything is interconnected.
Samsara: Samsara refers to the continuous cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth that all sentient beings experience in Indian philosophy. This cycle is driven by karma, and understanding it is essential for grasping concepts of liberation and enlightenment within various philosophical traditions.
Shankara's Synthesis: Shankara's Synthesis refers to the philosophical framework established by the Indian philosopher Adi Shankaracharya, which harmonizes the teachings of non-dualism (Advaita) with the concepts of māyā (illusion) and Brahman (ultimate reality). This synthesis asserts that while the empirical world is an illusion, the ultimate truth is the non-dual existence of Brahman, positioning Shankara as a central figure in Advaita Vedānta and influencing a broad range of spiritual and philosophical discussions in India.
Upanishads: The Upanishads are ancient philosophical texts that form the concluding part of the Vedas, which are the oldest sacred scriptures of Hinduism. They explore profound spiritual concepts such as the nature of reality, self, and the ultimate purpose of life, connecting key ideas about Brahman and Atman with various philosophical interpretations and practices.
Vedanta Tradition: Vedanta is one of the six orthodox schools of Indian philosophy that focuses on the end portion of the Vedas, particularly the Upanishads, which explore the nature of reality and the self. This tradition emphasizes the ultimate goal of human life as achieving liberation (moksha) through understanding the non-dual nature of existence and realizing one's true self (Atman) as identical with Brahman, the ultimate reality. It plays a crucial role in discussing concepts like non-dualism and māyā, the illusion that obscures this true understanding.
Veil of ignorance: The veil of ignorance is a philosophical concept that suggests individuals should make decisions about the structure of society without knowing their own position or status within that society. This approach encourages fairness and impartiality, as it prevents bias based on personal circumstances such as wealth, gender, or ethnicity. In the context of non-dualism and māyā, it relates to the understanding that the individual self is an illusion and that true knowledge arises from transcending personal biases and recognizing the oneness of existence.