Advaita Vedanta

Definition

Advaita Vedanta is a non-dual, idealistic school of Hindu philosophy that emphasizes the ultimate oneness of the individual self (Atman) and the universal absolute (Brahman). It posits that there is only one reality, and that the apparent diversity of the world is an illusion (Maya) created by ignorance.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Advaita Vedanta rejects the notion of a personal God and instead posits an impersonal, non-dual absolute known as Brahman as the ultimate reality.
2. The central tenet of Advaita Vedanta is the identity of Atman (individual self) and Brahman (the absolute), which is encapsulated in the famous Mahavakya or great saying 'Tat Tvam Asi' meaning 'Thou art That'.
3. Advaita Vedanta emphasizes the attainment of self-knowledge (Jnana) as the means to realizing the non-dual nature of reality and achieving liberation (Moksha) from the cycle of rebirth.
4. The concept of Maya in Advaita Vedanta explains the apparent duality and multiplicity of the phenomenal world as an illusion created by ignorance, which can be overcome through the realization of the true, non-dual nature of reality.
5. Advaita Vedanta has had a profound influence on Hindu philosophy, spirituality, and culture, and its ideas have been widely discussed and debated within the broader context of Indian philosophical traditions.

Review Questions

• Explain the central tenet of Advaita Vedanta and how it relates to the concept of Substance.
  • The central tenet of Advaita Vedanta is the non-dual identity of Atman (the individual self) and Brahman (the absolute, ultimate reality). This idea of the fundamental oneness of the individual and the universal is directly relevant to the concept of Substance, as Advaita Vedanta posits that there is only one true Substance or reality, which is Brahman, and that the apparent diversity of the world is an illusion (Maya) created by ignorance. The realization of this non-dual nature of Substance, where the individual self is seen as inseparable from the absolute, is the key to achieving liberation (Moksha) according to Advaita Vedanta.
• Analyze the role of the concept of Maya in Advaita Vedanta's understanding of Substance.
  • The concept of Maya is central to Advaita Vedanta's understanding of Substance. Maya refers to the illusory nature of the phenomenal world, which obscures the underlying unity of Brahman, the absolute reality. According to Advaita Vedanta, the apparent multiplicity and diversity of Substances in the world are a result of this Maya, which creates the false perception of duality and separateness. The realization that this diversity is ultimately an illusion, and that there is only one true Substance (Brahman), is essential for the Advaita Vedanta practitioner to achieve the non-dual understanding of reality and attain liberation. The concept of Maya, therefore, plays a crucial role in Advaita Vedanta's metaphysical framework and its interpretation of the nature of Substance.
• Evaluate how the Advaita Vedanta concept of Brahman as the ultimate Substance relates to the individual self (Atman) and the attainment of liberation (Moksha).
  • In Advaita Vedanta, Brahman is conceived as the ultimate, non-dual Substance that is the source and essence of all existence. The core tenet of this philosophy is the identity of Atman (the individual self) and Brahman, where the individual self is seen as inseparable from the absolute reality. The realization of this non-dual nature of Substance, where the individual and the universal are recognized as one, is the key to achieving liberation (Moksha) from the cycle of rebirth. By overcoming the illusion of Maya and the false sense of separateness, the Advaita Vedanta practitioner can attain the direct experience of Brahman as the sole Substance, leading to the liberation of the self from the constraints of the phenomenal world. This understanding of the relationship between Brahman, Atman, and Moksha is central to Advaita Vedanta's metaphysical framework and its unique perspective on the nature of Substance.

Related terms

Brahman: The ultimate, eternal, and impersonal reality or absolute that is the source and substance of all existence according to Advaita Vedanta.

Atman: The individual self or soul that is considered identical with Brahman in Advaita Vedanta.

Maya: The illusory nature of the phenomenal world that obscures the underlying unity of Brahman according to Advaita Vedanta.