Tag: Moksha

Kena Upanishad (Kenopaniṣat) – Knowledge of Self as Brahman

On By Global PhilosophyIn Epistemology, India, Metaphysics, Philosophy of ReligionLeave a comment

Author: Manvitha Singamsetty (University of Ottawa)

TheKena Upanishad or Kenopaniṣat(also known as the Talavakara Upanishad) elucidates the concept ofnirguna(qualityless) Brahman(absolute or ultimate reality) and establishes the oneness of Atman(Self) and Brahman. Kenaliterally means “by whom?”, “from what cause?”, or “whence?”. The word Upanishadis derived from upameaning near, ni, meaning down, and sad, which means to sit. The idea communicated here is that a student (or group of students) sit near a teacher to receive knowledge and instruction about Truth which overcomes all illusion and ignorance.

Continue reading “Kena Upanishad (Kenopaniṣat) – Knowledge of Self as Brahman” →

Madhvācārya

On By Global PhilosophyIn Hindu, India, Metaphysics, Philosophy of ReligionLeave a comment

Author: Deepak Sarma (Case Western Reserve University)

Madhvācārya is a 13th century Indian Hindu scholar who began the Dvaita or dualist (also known as Mādhva) tradition of Vedānta. He argues that the ultimate reality (brahman), identified with God as Viṣṇu, is distinct from the world and from each and every ātman (enduring, individual self). His primary opponent is the Advaita (non-dualist) School of Vedānta founded by Ṡaṃkarācārya in the 8th century which holds that ultimate reality is identical to each and every ātman. Madhvācārya argues that the universe is governed by pañcabheda (five types of differences) that are real and not illusory. Continue reading “Madhvācārya” →