A Hindu Theology of Liberation

Anantanand Rambachan

Description

Finalist for the 2016 Book Award for Excellence in the Study of Religion, in the Constructive-Reflective category presented by the American Academy of Religion

This engaging and accessible work provides an introduction to the Hindu tradition of Advaita Vedānta and brings it into discussion with contemporary concerns. Advaita, the non-dual school of Indian philosophy and spirituality associated with Śaṅkara, is often seen as "other-worldly," regarding the world as an illusion. Anantanand Rambachan has played a central role in presenting a more authentic Advaita, one that reveals how Advaita is positive about the here and now. The first part of the book presents the hermeneutics and spirituality of Advaita, using textual sources, classical commentary, and modern scholarship. The book's second section considers the implications of Advaita for ethical and social challenges: patriarchy, homophobia, ecological crisis, child abuse, and inequality. Rambachan establishes how Advaita's non-dual understanding of reality provides the ground for social activism and the values that advocate for justice, dignity, and the equality of human beings.
Abbreviations

Introduction

What Is Advaita?
Is Advaita a Theological Tradition?
The Need for an Advaita Theology of Liberation
Not-Two Is Not One
Structure of Text

Part One

1.The Quest for Fullness

Human Problem as Suffering
The Universal Desire for Happiness
Suffering as Mortality Anxiety
Suffering and the Transient Nature of Experiences
Suffering as the Experience of Inadequacy
Inadequacy and the Multiplication of Desires
The Persistence of Inadequacy
Overcoming the Problem of Inadequacy: The Limits of Action
Despair as Opportunity
The Uncreated Infinite
The Human Problem as Ignorance (Avidyā)

2. The Validity of Non-Duality

Vedas: The Source of Liberating Knowledge
The Threefold Criteria for Valid Knowledge
The Subject Matter of the Vedas
The Action and Knowledge Sections of the Vedas
Relationship between the Means of Knowledge and Object
The Liberating Power of Words
The Value of a Teacher
The Necessity of Faith (Śraddhā)
A Teaching Tradition

3. The Full Self

The Method of Distinguishing Knower and Known
The Singularity of the Self
The Immortality of the Self
The Self as Free from the Limits of Time
The Unity of the Self
The Self as Free from Space Limits
The Relationship Between Cause and Effect
Overcoming the Brahman-World Dualism
The Purpose of Creation in Advaita

4. The Liberated Life

Suffering and Ignorance
Knowledge and Liberation
The Meaning of Saṁsāra
Ignorance and Its Consequences
Untying the Knots of the Heart (Ignorance-Greed-Greedful Actions)
The Social Implications of Liberation
Identity with All Beings as Love
Compassion
Generosity
Interdependent Existence
Control-Give-Have Compassion

Part Two

5. Liberation from Patriarchy

Paradoxical Attitudes toward Women
The Significance of Women in Relation to Men
Dowry and the Devaluation of Women
Religious Rituals and the Preference for Sons
Karma and Violence to Women
The Intrinsic Value of Women
The Necessity to Connect Religious Teaching and Social Reality
Ahiṁsā: Its Significance for Women
Ahiṁsā and Justice for Women
Justice as the Fulfillment of Mutual Obligations
Feminine Images of God and the Empowerment of Women
Scriptural Resources for Overcoming Patriarchy
Ignorance and Patriarchy

6. Liberation from Homophobia

The Reality of Homophobia
Recognizing Third Sex Persons
The Case of Arjuna in Mahābhārata
Third Sex Persons in the Law Codes
Divine Immanence and the Value of the Person
Sex and Liberation (Mokṣa)
Procreation, Marriage, and Third Sex
Recovering Indigenous Theological Resources

7. Liberation from Anthropocentrism

Brahman as Ontological Ground of Nature
Dualistic and Non-dualistic Views of Nature
The Devaluation of Nature in Advaita
Affirming the Value of Nature in Advaita
Liberation and the Significance of Nature
Nature and the Yajña Mode of Being
Nature and the Moral Order of the Universe
Liberation from Greed and Stewardship

8. Liberation from Childism

The Suffering of the Child
The Religious Value of the Child
Birth Replicates Cosmic Creation
Brahman Is Present Equally in All Beings
Value for Brahman Expressed in Compassion
Ahiṁsā (Non-Injury) and the Value of the Child
Honoring the Divinity in the Child
The Girl Child in the Hindu Perspective: Ideal and Reality
Religious Value and the Provision of Needs
The Obligation to Life
The Obligation to a Healthy Life
The Obligation to Education
The Obligation to Leisure and Happiness
The Oblig

Sujets

• East Asian religions
• Theology
• Hinduism

Informations

• Publié par: State University of New York Press
• Date de parution: 06 novembre 2014
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781438454573
• Langue: English

Extrait

A Hindu Theology of Liberation
SUNY series in Religious Studies

Harold Coward, editor
A Hindu Theology of Liberation
Not-Two Is Not One
ANANTANAND RAMBACHAN
Published by State University of New York Press, Albany
© 2015 State University of New York
All rights reserved
Printed in the United States of America
No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission. No part of this book may be stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means including electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior permission in writing of the publisher.
For information, contact State University of New York Press, Albany, NY
www.sunypress.edu
Production, Diane Ganeles
Marketing, Anne M. Valentine
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Rambachan, Anantanand, author.
A Hindu theology of liberation : not-two is not one / Anantanand Rambachan.
pages cm. — (SUNY series in religious studies)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-1-4384-5455-9 (hardcover : alk. paper)
E-ISBN 978-1-4384-5457-3 (ebook)
1. Advaita. 2. Hinduism—Social aspects. 3. Liberation theology. I. Title. B132.A3R362 2015 294.5 17—dc23 2014007246
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
For my beloved teacher Pujya Swami Dayananda Saraswati at whose feet I studied Advaita as a pramā ṇ a for knowing myself
Contents
Abbreviations
Introduction
What Is Advaita?
Is Advaita a Theological Tradition?
The Need for an Advaita Theology of Liberation
Not-Two Is Not One
Structure of Text
P ART O NE
Chapter 1: The Quest for Fullness
Human Problem as Suffering
The Universal Desire for Happiness
Suffering as Mortality Anxiety
Suffering and the Transient Nature of Experiences
Suffering as the Experience of Inadequacy
Inadequacy and the Multiplication of Desires
The Persistence of Inadequacy
Overcoming the Problem of Inadequacy: The Limits of Action
Despair as Opportunity
The Uncreated Infinite
The Human Problem as Ignorance (Avidyā)
Chapter 2: The Validity of Non-Duality
Vedas: The Source of Liberating Knowledge
The Threefold Criteria for Valid Knowledge
The Subject Matter of the Vedas
The Action and Knowledge Sections of the Vedas
Relationship between the Means of Knowledge and Object
The Liberating Power of Words
The Value of a Teacher
The Necessity of Faith (Śraddhā)
A Teaching Tradition
Chapter 3: The Full Self
The Method of Distinguishing Knower and Known
The Singularity of the Self
The Immortality of the Self
The Self as Free from the Limits of Time
The Unity of the Self
The Self as Free from Space Limits
The Relationship Between Cause and Effect
Overcoming the Brahman-World Dualism
The Purpose of Creation in Advaita
Chapter 4: The Liberated Life
Suffering and Ignorance
Knowledge and Liberation
The Meaning of Sa ṁ sāra
Ignorance and Its Consequences
Untying the Knots of the Heart (Ignorance-Greed-Greedful Actions)
The Social Implications of Liberation
Identity with All Beings as Love
Compassion
Generosity
Interdependent Existence
Control-Give-Have Compassion
P ART T WO
Chapter 5: Liberation from Patriarchy
Paradoxical Attitudes toward Women
The Significance of Women in Relation to Men
Dowry and the Devaluation of Women
Religious Rituals and the Preference for Sons
Karma and Violence to Women
The Intrinsic Value of Women
The Necessity to Connect Religious Teaching and Social Reality
Ahi ṁ sā: Its Significance for Women
Ahi ṁ sā and Justice for Women
Justice as the Fulfillment of Mutual Obligations
Feminine Images of God and the Empowerment of Women
Scriptural Resources for Overcoming Patriarchy
Ignorance and Patriarchy
Chapter 6: Liberation from Homophobia
The Reality of Homophobia
Recognizing Third Sex Persons
The Case of Arjuna in Mahābhārata
Third Sex Persons in the Law Codes
Divine Immanence and the Value of the Person
Sex and Liberation (Mok ṣ a)
Procreation, Marriage, and the Third Sex
Recovering Indigenous Theological Resources
Chapter 7: Liberation from Anthropocentrism
Brahman as Ontological Ground of Nature
Dualistic and Non-dualistic Views of Nature
The Devaluation of Nature in Advaita
Affirming the Value of Nature in Advaita
Liberation and the Significance of Nature
Nature and the Yajña Mode of Being
Nature and the Moral Order of the Universe
Liberation from Greed and Stewardship of Nature
Chapter 8: Liberation from Childism
The Suffering of the Child
The Religious Value of the Child
Birth Replicates Cosmic Creation
Brahman Is Present Equally in All Beings
Value for Brahman Expressed in Compassion
Ahi ṁ sā (Non-Injury) and the Value of the Child
Honoring the Divinity in the Child
The Girl Child in the Hindu Perspective: Ideal and Reality
Religious Value and the Provision of Needs
The Obligation to Life
The Obligation to a Healthy Life
The Obligation to Education
The Obligation to Leisure and Happiness
The Obligation to Non-Injury and Freedom from Exploitation
Chapter 9: Liberation from Caste
A Personal Encounter
The Reality of Caste Oppression
Caste Privileges and the Negativized Others
Change, Conversion, and Leadership
Dalits and Hindu Identity
Self-Value and the Devaluation of Others
Affirming Equal Worth and Justice for All
The Story of Śa ṅ kara and the Untouchable
The Exegesis of Bhagavadgītā 5:18
Caste and the Authority of Scripture
Dharma, Caste, and Liberation
Conclusion
Notes
Bibliography
Index
Abbreviations AU Aitareya Upani ṣ ad BG Bhagavadgītā BU B ṛ hadāra ṇ yaka Upani ṣ ad BS Brahmasūtra CU Chāndogya Upani ṣ ad ĪU Īśa Upani ṣ ad KaU Ka ṭ ha Upani ṣ ad KeU Kena Upani ṣ ad MāU Mān ḍ ūkya Upani ṣ ad MU Mu ṇ ḍ aka Upani ṣ ad PU Praśna Upani ṣ ad ŚvU Śvetāśvatara Upani ṣ ad TU Taittirīya Upani ṣ ad US Upadeśasāhasrī
The letters Bh added to the abbreviations of any text (as BSBh) indicate the commentary ( bhā ṣ ya ) of Śa ṅ kara. I have also included the page numbers for ease of location.
Introduction
What Is Advaita?
Advaita (lit. not-two) is the name of one of several Hindu theological traditions that are rooted in the understanding of the four Vedas ( Ṛ g, Sāma, Yajur, Atharva) as revealed sources of authoritative teachings. More specifically, these traditions, and especially Advaita, look to the dialogues in the last sections of the Vedas, the Upani ṣ ads, as the repository of the highest teachings in the scripture. For this reason, the name “Vedānta” (literally, “end of the Veda”) is usually appended to Advaita. Although regarding the Upani ṣ ads as the primary source for its teachings, Advaita looks also to the Brahmasūtra, an aphoristic ( sūtra ) summary of the contents of the Upani ṣ ads attributed to Bādarāya ṇ a (ca. second century BCE) and to the Bhagavadgītā. 1 These are referred to in the tradition as the three pillars or the threefold foundation ( prasthānatrayī ).
Advaita is an exegetical tradition and looks to a line of distinguished teachers for the interpretation and transmission of the tradition. These teachers constitute the historical lineage ( sampradāya ), by which this tradition is preserved and transmitted. Among these are Bādarāya ṇ a, author of the Brahmasūtra; Gua ḍ apādācārya (ca. sixth century CE), author of a commentary in verse ( kārikā ) on the Mā ṇ ḍ ūkya Upani ṣ ad; and Śa ṅ karācārya, author of commentaries ( bhā ṣ ya ) on the Brahmasūtra, the Upani ṣ ads (Īśa, Kena, Ka ṭ ha, Praśna, Mā ṇ ḍ ukya and Kārikā , Mu ṇ ḍ aka, Aitareya, B ṛ hadāra ṇ yaka, Chāndogya, and Taittirīya), and the Bhagavadgītā. Śa ṅ kara is regarded as the principal historical systematizer and exponent of the Advaita tradition. He developed his teaching as an interpreter of the principal Upani ṣ ads and wrote elaborate and influential commentaries on these texts. He regards himself as offering an exposition of the tradition according to the lineage of teachers who preceded him.
Is Advaita a Theological Tradition?
Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (1888–1975), perhaps the most celebrated Indian philosopher of the last century, wrote of Śa ṅ kara, the classical systematizer and exponent of the Advaita Vedānta (Non-dual) in the following words:

The Advaitism of Śa ṁ kara is a system of great speculative daring and logical subtlety. Its austere intellectualism, its remorseless logic, which marches on indi