Vedantic Self and Buddhist Non-Self | Swami Sarvapriyananda

https://youtu.be/vAZPWu084m4 Swami Sarvapriyananda speaks on the difference and similarities between the Vedantic concept of Self and the Buddhist concept of Non-self.

[iamthat]

I have just finished Volume II of Nothing Ever Happened, the biography of H.W.L. Poonja by David Godman. Towards the end there is a brief discussion between Poonjaji and a close disciple on this subject, in particular the Karika by Gaudapada, an early Advaitist. This refers to a book Gaudapada, A Study in Early Advaita by T.M.P. Mahadevan.

One commentator observed that Gaudapada used the same arguments as the Buddhists to prove the unreality of external objects of perception. Another commentator observed that Gaudapada considered that the teachings of the Upanishads agreed with the teachings of the Buddha.

From Wikipedia:

Gauḍapāda adopted some Buddhist terminology and borrowed its doctrines to his Vedantic goals, much like early Buddhism adopted Upanishadic terminology and borrowed its doctrines to Buddhist goals; both used pre-existing concepts and ideas to convey new meanings. While there is shared terminology, the Advaita doctrines of Gaudapada and Buddhism also show differences.

I appreciate that such discussions are not everyone's cup of tea, but there may be some who want to investigate further.

Peace

Originally Posted by JustASimpleGuy

https://youtu.be/vAZPWu084m4 Swami Sarvapriyananda speaks on the difference and similarities between the Vedantic concept of Self and the Buddhist concept of Non-self.

There doesn't seem to be a 'standard' definition of the self, and making a distinction between upper-case or lower-case only adds to the confusion. In some teachings there are a number of 'selfs', and it doesn't help when the discussion is the Atman, which seems to be different from the selfs and the Self. Often the ego/ahamkara and the self are interchangeable as well. What doesn't help either is translation of both mindset and language.

There was also much cross-pollination of religion and philosophy in history so it's hardly surprising that something like this would come up. What you also have to bear in mind that the West makes the distinction between religion/philosophy and psychology, the East doesn't.

Perhaps the question is, what is it that you're trying to understand?

[Gem]

Originally Posted by JustASimpleGuy

https://youtu.be/vAZPWu084m4 Swami Sarvapriyananda speaks on the difference and similarities between the Vedantic concept of Self and the Buddhist concept of Non-self.

I listened to the video, and in my highly critical view, it's good. Well worth the listen.

[HITESH SHAH]

Originally Posted by JustASimpleGuy

https://youtu.be/vAZPWu084m4 Swami Sarvapriyananda speaks on the difference and similarities between the Vedantic concept of Self and the Buddhist concept of Non-self.

This world is made of matter n spirit. Advaitins describe self from spiritual side whereas Buddhist describe it as no self standing on the shores of material world(where there is little imagination of spirituality) . So effectively they point to same abstract yet real consciousness.

Different language n orientation yet pointing to same thing