Differences with Advaita Vedanta

Definition

Differences with Advaita Vedanta refer to the philosophical contrasts between Advaita Vedanta and other Indian philosophies, particularly Sāṃkhya philosophy. While Advaita Vedanta emphasizes non-dualism and the ultimate oneness of Atman and Brahman, Sāṃkhya presents a dualistic view of reality, distinguishing between the purusha (consciousness) and prakriti (matter). This fundamental disagreement shapes their respective concepts of liberation and the path to achieving it.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In Sāṃkhya philosophy, liberation is achieved through knowledge of the separation between purusha and prakriti, allowing one to transcend the material world.
2. Advaita Vedanta posits that ignorance (avidya) of one's true nature as Atman leads to suffering, while Sāṃkhya focuses on understanding the distinction between consciousness and matter.
3. The path to liberation in Sāṃkhya involves discriminative knowledge (viveka), while Advaita emphasizes self-inquiry and realization of oneness.
4. In Advaita Vedanta, the idea of duality is considered an illusion (maya), whereas Sāṃkhya accepts duality as a fundamental aspect of reality.
5. Both philosophies aim for liberation but differ in their methodologies and ontological views of existence, influencing how adherents perceive life and death.

Review Questions

• How does Sāṃkhya philosophy's view of reality differ from that of Advaita Vedanta?
  • Sāṃkhya philosophy presents a dualistic view, emphasizing the separation between purusha (consciousness) and prakriti (matter), while Advaita Vedanta advocates for non-dualism, asserting that Atman and Brahman are ultimately one. This difference affects how each philosophy approaches the concept of liberation. In Sāṃkhya, liberation involves recognizing this separation, whereas in Advaita, it means realizing one's inherent oneness with Brahman.
• Discuss how the concept of moksha varies between Advaita Vedanta and Sāṃkhya philosophy.
  • Moksha in Advaita Vedanta is achieved through the realization that one's true self (Atman) is identical to the ultimate reality (Brahman). In contrast, Sāṃkhya views moksha as freedom from suffering by understanding the duality between purusha and prakriti. While both philosophies ultimately aim for liberation from the cycle of rebirth, they propose different paths—non-dual awareness versus knowledge of duality.
• Evaluate the implications of the differing views on ignorance (avidya) in Advaita Vedanta versus Sāṃkhya philosophy for an individual's spiritual practice.
  • The differing views on ignorance profoundly affect an individual's spiritual practice. In Advaita Vedanta, ignorance is seen as a veil that must be lifted through self-inquiry to realize one's true nature as Atman. This path emphasizes personal insight into non-duality. On the other hand, Sāṃkhya regards ignorance as a misunderstanding of the nature of reality that can be resolved through intellectual discernment and understanding of dualism. This creates diverse practices focused on either introspection or analytical knowledge, significantly influencing how practitioners approach their spiritual journeys.

Related terms

Sāṃkhya: An ancient Indian philosophical system that outlines a dualistic worldview, emphasizing the distinction between purusha (consciousness) and prakriti (matter).

Moksha:

The term for liberation or release from the cycle of birth and death, which is viewed differently across various Indian philosophies.

Brahman:

The ultimate reality in Advaita Vedanta, seen as formless, infinite, and the essence of all that exists.