RT Article
T1 The Interconnection between Brahman and Atman: An Explication of Adi Shankara’s Writings
JF The international journal of religion and spirituality in society
VO 2
IS 3
SP 145
OP 151
A1 Gordon, Brandon Lee
LA English
YR 2013
UL https://ixtheo.de/Record/1840601736
AB The Vedic texts are sacred to many Hindus. Adi Shankara was a 9th century Hindu mystic and commentator of the Vedic texts that explicate the philosophical view of Advaita Vedanta. While there are some problems still not solved in Shankara’s meaning at this time, there is a consensus as to his intent in his writings about the Oneness of Brahman and Atman and how one is to come to know this connection. The commentators that I use to shed light on Shankara’s meaning are N. K. Devaraja, Eric Lott, and Arvid Sharma. According to Shankara, whose position I sympathize with, we come to know Atman, Brahman and the Oneness, ultimately, though not exclusively, through direct experience. Primarily, the purpose of this essay is to explicate and qualify the truth of Shankara’s position. Secondarily and more specifically, I argue that either Shankara exaggerates the delusional nature of the external world or that there are a few mistranslations concerning the external world. I attempt to fulfill this purpose by first answering the question of how one is supposed to come to know Atman, Brahman, and the connection between the two. Next, I will answer the question of what we can know about Atman, Brahman, and the Oneness. These questions will be answered by analyzing Shankara’s text and secondary sources. I will also provide a few personal illustrations for clarification that could be interpreted as direct experiences of Oneness that Shankara discusses.
K1 Adi Shankara
K1 Advaita Vedanta
K1 Advaita Ventana
K1 Atman
K1 Brahman
K1 Directly Experience
K1 Eastern Philosophy
K1 Epistemology
K1 Hinduism
K1 Metaphysics
K1 Nondualism
K1 Phenomenology
K1 Religion
DO 10.18848/2154-8633/CGP/v02i03/51017