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 Hindu philosophy |
Advaita Vedānta and Mahāyāna Buddhism share significant similarities. Those similarities have attracted attention both by Indian and Western scholars of Eastern philosophy and Oriental studies,[1] and have also been criticised by concurring schools. The similarities have been interpreted as Buddhist influences on Advaita Vedānta, though some deny such influences, or see them as expressions of the same eternal truth.[2]
Advaita Vedanta (IAST, Advaita Vedānta; Sanskrit: अद्वैत वेदान्त; literally, not-two) is the oldest extant sub-school of Vedānta, an orthodox (āstika) school of Hindu philosophy and religious practice. Advaita darśana (philosophy, world view, teaching) is one of the classic Indian paths to spiritual realization and liberation.[3][4] It took shape with the writings of Gauḍapāda in the 6th century CE.
Buddhism is an Indian religion[5] and dhārma that encompasses a variety of traditions, beliefs, and spiritual practices based on teachings attributed to Gautama Buddha (5th century BCE), but diversified since then in a wide variety of schools and traditions. Buddhism originated in ancient India, from where it spread through much of Eurasia. It declined in the Indian subcontinent during the Middle Ages after the rise of new forms of Hinduism, including the Advaita tradition.
- ^ Biderman 1978, pp. 405–413.
- ^ N.V. Isaeva (1993), Shankara and Indian Philosophy, SUNY Press, pages 12-14
- ^ Sharma 2007, p. 6.
- ^ Deutsch 1988, p. 4.
- ^ Lopez 2001, p. 239.