Vedanta Philosophy: Advaita Non-Dualism

Vedanta: The Uttara Mimamsa

Key Concept: The Vedanta, also known as Uttara Mimamsa, focuses on the philosophical teachings found in the Upanishads, which are mystic or spiritual contemplations within the Vedas. This school emphasizes knowledge of the ultimate reality, Brahman, rather than the ritual practices found in the Brahmanas.

Philosophical Explanation: The Vedanta school divided into six sub-schools, each offering unique interpretations of the texts and producing distinct series of sub-commentaries. These schools explore the relationship between the individual soul (Atman) and the ultimate reality (Brahman), and how knowledge of this relationship leads to spiritual liberation.

• Advaita (Adi Shankara): It states that both the individual self (Atman) and Brahman are the same, and knowing this difference causes liberation.
• Visishtadvaita (Ramanuja): It believes that all diversity is subsumed to a unified whole.
• Dvaita (Madhvacharya): It considers Brahman and Atman as two different entities, and Bhakti as the route to eternal salvation.
• Dvaitadvaita (Nimbarka): It states that Brahman is the highest reality, the controller of all.
• Shuddhadvaita (Vallabhacharya): It states that both God and the individual self are the same, and not different.
• Achintya Bheda Abheda (Chaitanya Mahaprabhu): It emphasizes that the individual self (Jīvatman) is both different and not different from Brahman.

1. Advaita Vedanta (Non-Dualism)

Key Concept: Advaita means "non-duality" or "not two." It asserts that the ultimate reality, Brahman (the Absolute), is the only truth, and everything else is an illusion (Maya).

Philosophical Explanation: According to Advaita Vedanta, the individual soul (Atman) and Brahman are essentially the same. The perception of separation is caused by ignorance (Avidya). Once ignorance is removed, liberation (Moksha) is attained. The material world is seen as an illusion (Maya), and ultimately, the realization that Atman and Brahman are the same leads to spiritual liberation.

Founder: Adi Shankaracharya (8th century CE), who systematized this philosophy and presented it as a cohesive worldview.

Goal: The realization that everything is one—Atman and Brahman are not separate. Liberation is attained through self-realization in this lifetime (Jivanmukti).

2. Vishishtadvaita Vedanta (Qualified Non-Dualism)

Key Concept: Vishishtadvaita translates to "Advaita with qualification." It suggests that there is a fundamental oneness in all existence, but with unique characteristics that qualify this oneness.

Philosophical Explanation: The universe, individual souls (Jivas), and God (Ishvara, often Vishnu) are distinct yet interconnected. God is the supreme soul, and individual souls are His parts, just as a body cannot exist without its soul. Unlike Advaita, where everything is ultimately one, Vishishtadvaita acknowledges the reality of diversity within unity. The differences between the individual soul and Brahman do not detract from their essential oneness.

Founder: Ramanuja (11th century CE), who was instrumental in formalizing this school.

Goal: Liberation is attained through Bhakti (devotion) and surrender to God. It emphasizes personal devotion to Vishnu as the ultimate means of salvation.

3. Dvaita Vedanta (Dualism)

Key Concept: Dvaita means "duality," and it holds that the individual soul and God are eternally separate and distinct.

Philosophical Explanation: Dvaita Vedanta posits that Brahman (often identified with Vishnu) and the individual souls are two distinct, separate realities. The soul's liberation comes from the realization that it is dependent on the Supreme Being (Vishnu). This school acknowledges eternal differences between God and individual souls, as well as between matter and spirit. It opposes the non-dualistic views of Advaita, claiming that God is a personal entity with attributes, while individual souls retain their uniqueness.

Founder: Madhvacharya (13th century CE), who emphasized the dualistic nature of reality.

Goal: Liberation is achieved by surrendering to Vishnu and following a path of devotion (Bhakti). The souls can attain Moksha, but only through the mercy of God.

4. Shuddadvaita Vedanta (Pure Non-Dualism)

Key Concept: Shuddadvaita means "pure non-duality." This school believes that Brahman is the only true reality, but it sees the world and individual souls as emanating from Brahman in a pure and real way.

Philosophical Explanation: The difference between Brahman and the individual soul (Jiva) is not absolute but is a result of ignorance (Avidya). The relationship is like the relationship between fire and sparks—distinct yet essentially the same. The world is not an illusion (as in Advaita), but rather a manifestation of Brahman, and the souls are seen as part of the Divine, not separate from it.

Founder: Vallabhacharya (15th century CE), who focused on a devotional path centered around worship of Krishna.

Goal: Salvation is achieved through Bhakti and living a life of love and devotion to Krishna, rather than by mere intellectual realization.

5. Achintya Bheda Abheda (Inconceivable One-ness and Difference)

Key Concept: Achintya Bheda Abheda means "inconceivable oneness and difference." It proposes that God is simultaneously one with and different from His creation.

Philosophical Explanation: This school combines the dualistic and non-dualistic views, emphasizing that the relationship between God (Krishna) and the world is both one and different, simultaneously. God controls the creation, but creation is never separate from God. The relationship between the individual soul and Brahman is like the sun and its rays—similar in essence, but different in form and quantity.

Founder: Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (15th-16th century CE), who introduced this philosophy as part of the Gaudiya Vaishnavism tradition.

Goal: The ultimate goal is achieving Bhakti (devotion) to Krishna, leading to liberation through divine love and grace.

6. Dvaitadvaita Vedanta (Dualistic Non-Dualism)

Key Concept: Dvaitadvaita translates to "dualistic non-dualism," proposing that Brahman is both different from and the same as the individual soul.

Philosophical Explanation: Dvaitadvaita holds that Brahman is the highest reality, and both the world and the individual soul are aspects of Brahman. While there are differences between Brahman and individual souls, they are also inherently connected. The universe and souls are like reflections of Brahman, and liberation is the realization of this connection.

Founder: Nimbarka (12th century CE), who proposed this view as a synthesis of dualism and non-dualism.

Goal: Liberation is achieved through a combination of devotion (Bhakti) and knowledge (Jnana). The soul becomes aware of its unity with Brahman, even though it remains distinct.

Summary Table of Vedanta Schools:

School	Key Concept	Founder	Philosophy	Goal of Liberation
Advaita	Non-duality of Atman and Brahman	Adi Shankaracharya	Monism	Realization of oneness with Brahman
Vishishtadvaita	Qualified non-duality	Ramanuja	Monism with qualifications	Liberation through Bhakti and surrender to Vishnu
Dvaita	Dualism: God and soul are distinct	Madhvacharya	Dualism	Liberation through devotion to Vishnu
Shuddadvaita	Pure non-duality (Brahman's energy)	Vallabhacharya	Monism	Salvation through Bhakti and devotion to Krishna
Achintya Bheda Abheda	Inconceivable oneness and difference	Chaitanya Mahaprabhu	Dualism and Non-dualism	Bhakti to Krishna for liberation
Dvaitadvaita	Dualistic non-duality	Nimbarka	Combination of Dualism and Non-dualism	Realization of unity with Brahman through Bhakti and Jnana