Buddhism and Advaita

betaboy

Are there any articles written by Buddhist scholars that list the differences between Buddhism and advaita? Kind of like comparing the two, and then presenting the key differences....

Thank you.

Vincenzi

is advaita a type of Hinduism? ...haven't read in a while, but it should be on articles about the differences between Buddhism and Hinduism (ie: in wikipedia and religioustolerance).

dharma

Advaita vedanta was organized by Shankara by putting together various vedic texts . However, since Advaita vedanta was greatly influenced by Buddhist principles many considered Advaita vedanta a a diluted version or copy of Buddhism. And he was sometimes called a Buddhist in disguise. It is not exactly Buddhism because other beliefs from Vedic brahmanism can be found mixed in it also. For example, he emphasized the self , Brahma , guru worship, and other aspects of Brahmanism. It is a branch of "Hinduism" that is largely influenced by Buddhist thought ( along with other Brahmanistic beliefs).

DhammaDhatu

Advaita is non-duality, where the mind gives up dualistic perceptions such as "me/other", "good/bad", "this/that", "right/wrong", etc, so it abides in a state of unified consciousness or oneness.

Buddhism describes the facts of life, such as things are impermanent, unsatisfactory, not-self (are not you nor belong to you) and are just natural elements. So in Buddhism, liberation comes from realising the facts of life, upon which the mind will become dispassionate. The mind loses infatuation with life, including infatuation with non-dualistic unified consciousness.

From a Buddhist perspective, Advaita is just a samadhi or concentration state. Monks, such as Maha Boowa, have commented on the difference between emptiness from samadhi and emptiness from wisdom. Emptiness from samadhi is literal emptiness, where the mind is literally empty of thoughts & concepts. Where as emptiness from wisdom is non-attachment, understanding all things, including thought function, are empty of self.

Advaita = infatuation with bright consciousness

Buddhism = dispassion towards & liberation from all things

Regards

Of all the paths the Eightfold Path is the best; of all the truths the Four Noble Truths are the best; of all things passionlessness is the best: of men the Seeing One (the Buddha) is the best.

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/dhp/dhp.20.budd.html

Temporary_arising

Advaita realisation is basically, i am everything. Buddhist realisation passes through that stage to lose the concept of i am, so you're just left with everything/no-thing.
This guys diary is really good for explaining practice and realisation. www.awakeningtoreality.blogspot.com

jinzang

Enlightenment in Buddhism and Advaita Vedanta: Are Nirvana and Moksha the Same?
David Loy
http://ccbs.ntu.edu.tw/FULLTEXT/JR-AN/26715.htm

Jeffrey

You have to listen to the teachings and see for yourself. At each individual's level. Maybe you can learn something from each? And then clarify further later. Nobody can tell you what to read. Well actually they can, but I wouldn't enjoy that as such.