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Vedanta:
Advaita vs. Bhakti
The main division between schools of Vedanta is
between
the Advaita Vedanta school
(developed by Sankara) in the 9th century
and
the various dissenting schools of Bhakti Vedanta
beginning in the 12th century.
Bhakti Vedanta
(1)Brahman is a real personal being endowed with auspicious
attributes.
(2)The true self of each person is distinct from the true self of
others, and each is distinct from Brahman.
(3)Bhakti (love of God) brings about union of the individual soul
with the personal Supreme God. Moksha.
Hamsa
Samprad
aya
Nimbarka
13th
century
Sri
Samprad
aya
Brahma
Samprad
aya
Ramanuja
12th
Century
Madhva
13th
Century
Rudha
Samprad
aya
Vallabha
15th and
16th
Century
Caitanya
Samprad
aya
Caitanya
16th
Century
Philosophy of Non-Duality
Advaita Vedanta may be traced
to the teachings of Gaudapada,
the legendary guru of Adi
Sankaras guru.
Advaita: not two, non-duality.
Vedanta: End of the Vedas.
Gaudapada
(circa 7th Century)
Brahmanthe
absolute existence,
knowledge, and bliss
is real. The universe is
not real. Brahman and
atman are one.
~ Adi Sankara
SAT
(Unchanging, Eternal, Independent Being)
Brahman
Self-Control
(detaching and non-reactive stance)
Forbearance
(freedom from complaint or lament)
Faith
(firm conviction based on understanding the teachings of
the scriptures and ones guru)
Self-Surrender
(concentration on Brahman)
Sankara
The spiritual seeker who is possessed of tranquility,
self-control, mental poise, forbearance, devotes himself
to the practice of contemplation, and meditates upon the
Atman within himself as the Atman within all beings.
Thus he completely destroys the sense of separateness
which arises from the darkness of ignorance, and dwells
in joy, identifying himself with Brahman, free from
distracting thoughts and selfish occupations.
Now, finally and clearly, I know that I am Atman,
whose nature is eternal joy. I see nothing, I hear
nothing, I know nothing that is separate from me.