Ego: An Epistemological Analysis of Self-Centric Consciousness Through Cultural Perspectives and Spiritual/Theological Dimensions in Hinduism and Buddhism
Abhilasha Ashok Kumar, Ajit Kumar Behura, Avinash Kumar
Pharos Journal of Theology August 1, 2023 DOI: 10.46222/pharosjot.104.422 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Buddhism |
| Citations | 2 |
| Key points | Argues that the ego, understood as self-centric consciousness, is conceptualized and experienced differently across cultural and religious contexts, particularly in Hinduism and Buddhism versus Western philosophical and psychological frameworks. Proposes that comparative analysis reveals the cultural contingency of ego and enriches understanding of self-identity, interconnectedness, and subjective experience. |
Abstract
This Article probes into the profound intricacies of ego, a multifaceted paradigm of self-centric consciousness that has garnered significant scholarly interest across various disciplines, with a specific focus on its conceptualization within the cultural contexts of the religions of Hinduism and Buddhism. By drawing on philosophical and psychological theories, this rigorous exploration aims to elucidate the nuanced dimensions of ego, shedding light on its ontological essence and intricate interaction within the human psyche. Additionally, this article explores how the cultural context influences the conceptualization and experience of ego in Eastern philosophies and religions, such as Hinduism and Buddhism, in comparison to Western philosophical and psychological frameworks. The work also deliberates the spiritual and theological dimensions of ego, exploring how self-centric consciousness intersects with spiritual perspectives. Drawing on a range of spiritual traditions and theological perspectives, this comprehensive exploration aims to shed light on the diverse understandings and implications of ego within the realm of spirituality. By undertaking a comparative analysis, this research seeks to uncover the cultural variations in understanding ego, encompassing diverse perspectives on self-identity, interconnectedness, and the role of ego within these distinct traditions. By examining the influence of cultural context, this investigation contributes to a deeper comprehension of the cultural contingency of ego, ultimately enriching our understanding of this fundamental construct in the broader landscape of human consciousness and subjective experience.
Comparable studies
Other theoretical and historical papers on buddhism, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mental balance and well-being: Building bridges between Buddhism and Western psychology. | 2006 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Buddhist Modernism and the Rhetoric of Meditative Experience | 1995 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Buddhist and Psychological Perspectives on Emotions and Well-Being | 2005 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Too Early to Tell: The Potential Impact and Challenges—Ethical and Otherwise—Inherent in the Mainstreaming of Dharma in an Increasingly Dystopian World | 2017 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| From self to nonself: The Nonself Theory | 2016 | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
Citations in the library
Cited by 2
- HEALING MENTAL TRAUMA AND IDENTITY CRISIS: INSIGHTS FROM INDIAN PSYCHOLOGY AND HOLISTIC CONSCIOUSNESS International Journal of Research -GRANTHAALAYAH September 11, 2026
- Preventing Depression through Selflessness: Effects and Mechanisms of Attentional vs. Deconstructive Meditation in a Three–Arm Randomized Controlled Trial Mindfulness March 26, 2026