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Re: Article : About Hinduism and Buddhism
Pradip Gangopadhyay <pradip@lism.usc.edu> writes:
>Giri <gmadras@engr.ucdavis.edu> wrote:
>exist because it disappears during the experience of Shunyata! The Ultimate
>Reality, Shunyata, is experienced when "I" and the phenomenal world has
>disappeared. Does this not sound like a negative description of Brahman?
If the Dalai lama says that the "I" (Atman) and the phenomenal
world disappears in th experience of shunyata, this indeed is a *Denying*
the ultimate reality of Brahman. Maybe he is speaking from his own
experience, and in which case, you can only doubt his experience and say
it is in contradiction to say, Shankara. Does not mean it is wrong either.
> You are taking the absolute point of view. From that point of view
>there is no birth, no death, no world and no liberation. Only Brahman is.
>I am taking the relative point of view. From that perspective all these
>things exist and the Atman transmigrates. Actually, you can not even talk
Agreed that only the ajnani or the ignorant one assumes that the
Atman transmigrates. I was just pointing out that this is not the case
for every Hindu since some of them are realized.
> You are assuming that only the Jnani is liberated. What about the
>devotee? You are taking the classic Advaita position. Sri Ramakrishna does
>not agree with that.
[snipped]
> It is possible that dvaitis will not agree with this view. They
>reject Shankara's Advaita position also. I find Sri Ramakrishna's view more
>reasonable than the classic Advaita, Vishsistadvaita or dvaita points of view.
>I, however, realize that many will not agree with me.
Exactly. You were describing the differences between Hinduism and
Buddhism but you did not introduce the position of advaita, dvaita etc (which
is indeed classical sanatana dharma) but instead opinions of a saint.
> I do not deny Nisargadatta Maharaj's experience. I do not understand
>it. I do not see how he can see the non-existence of the world even when he is
>talking to an inhabitant of that world.
If you are interested you may read 'I am That' by Nisargadatta Maharaj
which answers these sort of questions. Otherwise, take a trip to India and
meet the students of Nisargadatta Maharaj and/or Ramana Maharshi who address
this question maybe everyday.
>>From what I have understood, monks have to renunciate ego and evil desires.
Renunciating ego and evil desires is not out of the reach of the
householder.
>Regards
>Pradip
\aside
Kartik asked whether Buddhists quote from upanisads. In fact, I have seen
references to the mandukya upanishad and the karika by them. I can look
them up for you, in case you are interested.
Giri
