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Difference Between Hegel's Absolute and the Absolute Reality/Ultimate Reality?

PivotalSyntaxPivotalSyntax
edited July 2010 in Buddhism Basics
I am trying to understand what the difference between Hegel's Absolute Idea and the Dharmic concepts of the Absolute Reality/Ultimate Truth/Ultimate Reality is. They seem to be very similar, yet I do not know the what the difference is. I ask because Hegel's theory has been completely disproved, so I want to know what it is that separates my conception from his.

Comments

  • NamelessRiverNamelessRiver Veteran
    edited July 2010
    Maybe you could explain what is Hegel's Absolute Reality first? :P
  • PivotalSyntaxPivotalSyntax
    edited July 2010
    It's not something I'm capable of summarizing, so the best I can do is give a Wikipedia Link. I've read of his theory from books, so I don't know this compares.
  • aMattaMatt Veteran
    edited July 2010
    PivotalSyntax,

    I am no expert on Hegel's philosophy, but from my understanding, what he was saying is that in order for us to have experiences, there has to be a solid identity in order to reflect upon objects. This is actually opposite of Buddhist teachings, which states we have no fixed attributes, we are always changing with the aggregates, and we have no solid self.

    With warmth,

    Matt
  • jinzangjinzang Veteran
    edited July 2010
    One big difference is that Hegel thought that when you looked at the mind, you would find something, pure consciousness. Buddhists say that when you look at the the mind, you find nothing. The Perfection of Wisdom in 8000 Lines says (quoted from memory)

    All things are like a dream and illusion.
    Is even nirvana a dram and illusion?
    Not only nirvana, if there were anything greater than nirvana, it also would be a dream and illusion.
  • PivotalSyntaxPivotalSyntax
    edited July 2010
    Yes, this helps, but we are still missing a certain part of his philosophy.

    That is that he states: "Being and non-being are the same" That is, absolute reality is the same as limited reality. He takes a monistic approach where Absolute Reality is everything. I glanced over the Wiki I linked, and accordingly it states absolute idealism is related to certain forms of Buddhism, including Zen.
  • jinzangjinzang Veteran
    edited July 2010
    I've read comparisons between Hegelian Idealism and Buddhist Idealism. It's hard to compare them because the contexts are so different. Buddhist Idealism exists to provide a framework for Buddhist meditation practice and meditation was little known and practiced in Hegel's day.
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