Introduction to the Non-dualism Approach in Hinduism and its Connection to Other Religions and Philosophies
Sriram Ganapathi Subramanian
June 27, 2020 preprint DOI: 10.31219/osf.io/te39p (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Key points | The paper presents an overview of Hinduism, distinguishing a simpler devotional religion from a "profound Hinduism" that the authors characterize as monotheistic and centered on Advaita Vedanta non-dualism. It argues that Hindu concepts of consciousness, causality, Brahman, Maya, and the four levels of truth offer answers to hard problems of science, and it draws connections between Hindu thought and other religions and Western and Islamic philosophies. |
Abstract
In this paper, we introduce the Hinduism religion and philosophy. We start with introducing the holy books in Hinduism including Vedas and Upanishads. Then, we explain the simplistic Hinduism, Brahman, gods and their incarnations, stories of apocalypse, karma, reincarnation, heavens and hells, vegetarianism, and sanctity of cows. Then, we switch to the profound Hinduism which is the main core of Hinduism and is monotheistic. In profound Hinduism, we focus on the non-dualism or Advaita Vedanta approach in Hinduism. We discuss consciousness, causality, Brahman, psychology based on Hinduism, supportive scientific facts for Hinduism, the four levels of truth, Maya, and answers of Hinduism to the hard problems of science. The four paths of knowledge, love, karma, and meditation are explained as well as the cosmic mind, the subtle body, and Aum. The risks for every path are also explained. Then, we introduce the orthodox and heterodox Indian schools including Yoga, Nyaya, Advaita Vedanta, Vishishtadvaita, and Dvaita. Connections to some other religions including Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Islamic mysticism, and Zoroastrianism are analyzed. Finally, we explain the connection of Hindu philosophy with the Greek, western, and Islamic philosophies which include the philosophies of Plato, Aristotle, Plotinus, Spinoza, Descartes, Hegel, Avicenna, Suhrawardi, and Mulla Sadra.