Comparative Analysis of the Unity of Existence (Wahdat al Wujud) in Hikmah Mutā‘ālīyah (Transcendental philosophy of Molla Sadra) and Advaita Vedanta Philosophy
Metafizika Journal June 15, 2024 Syed Mohammad Jaun Abdi
Both Islamic philosopher Molla Sadra and Indian philosopher Sankara argue that a single, underlying reality is hidden by a veil of multiplicity, though they draw on different sacred texts—the Quran for Sadra and the Vedas for Sankara. Sadra's Transcendental philosophy explains unity through two theories: gradational unity of existence and individual unity of existence, describing multiplicity within unity and unity within multiplicity. Sankara's Advaita Vedanta non-dualism holds that the individual soul (Atman) is identical to universal consciousness (Brahman) and that the perceived world of multiplicity is an illusion (Maya). The paper explores commonalities and divergences between their systems.