Vedanta

Interpretation of the Brahmasutra of Badarayana, work on Vedanta philosophy.

The meanings in which the word "word" can be taken, the interpretations that the relevant meanings would necessitate of the "word-equals-world" thesis, and the extent to which Bhartṛhari can be said to be aware of or receptive to these interpretations are considered. The observation that more than one interpretation would have been acceptable to Bhartṛhari naturally leads to a discussion of his notion of truth, his perspectivism, and his understanding of the nature of philosophizing as an activity in which language (...) plays a basic role and epistemology and ontology are interdependent. The difference of Bhartṛhari's thinking from that of the Vedāntins of Śaṅkara's tradition is identified, and a brief comment on the history of vivarta and pariṇāma as philosophical terms is offered. (shrink)

The present dissertation expounds the understandings of human existence and transcendence in the writings of Mircea Eliade and Swami Vivekananda and asserts how their understandings become the ground from which they address issues pertaining to human life, particularly the issues of bondage and liberation. ;The dissertation follows a scheme which first situates the thoughts of Vivekananda and Eliade in their respective contexts and permits the argument for their universal message. Then, through analysis of their presuppositions and method, the necessary tools (...) are furnished to grasp the main theme of the dissertation: human existence and transcendence. Finally, the theme of transcendence as individually developed by the writers leads to the argument for a new humanism. The thesis examines how far both Vivekananda and Eliade, rooted in their respective traditions, succeed in moving beyond geographical and religious boundaries, and to what extent they can be models of interreligious and cross-cultural dialog. ;Objectives of the dissertation include the argument that Vivekananda and Eliade are both apologists for the religious dimension of human existence . As defenders of hope and transcendence they emphasize that the home of meaning for humans is rooted in the "Sacred" and Atman . Second, the thesis argues that, in as much as both Vivekananda and Eliade offer paths of liberation to modern people caught in the "wasteland of history" and in the maze of maya, their writings embody a strong soteriological motif. Third, the thesis contends that Vivekananda's and Eliade's understanding of human existence and transcendence are an attempt in doing "apologetics" and "soteriology" within an intereligious and cross-cultural context. The significance of the thesis lies in its cross-cultural and "inclusivist" perspective that recognizes the potential truth value and soteriological efficacy of the theologies and traditions of "others". Such a comparatively oriented and potentially transformative approach may help to revitalize contemporary theological research, particularly in issues pertaining to theology of religions. Eliade's and Vivekananda's understandings of human existence and transcendence will help to awaken a more global consciousness and pave the way for cross-cultural and interreligious dialog. (shrink)

This book is a collection of essays on central topics of Vedanta arranged in a thematically connected manner.