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What was Adi Shankaracharya's view on the concept of Brahman?
Adi Shankaracharya, also known as Shankara or Shankaracharya, was a great philosopher and theologian who lived in India during the 8th century. He is considered to be one of the most influential figures in the development of Hinduism, particularly in the Advaita Vedanta school of thought. Shankaracharya's teachings revolve around the concept of Brahman, which is the ultimate reality in Hinduism.
According to Shankaracharya, Brahman is the absolute, eternal, and unchanging reality that underlies all existence. It is the one true and ultimate reality that encompasses everything in the universe. Shankaracharya believed that Brahman is the only reality, and everything else is an illusion or maya.
He argued that the world we perceive through our senses is not the ultimate reality. It is a mere appearance, an illusion created by our limited perception. Shankaracharya compared this illusion to a dream, where everything seems real until we wake up. Similarly, he believed that the world we experience is a product of our ignorance and that true knowledge can only be attained by understanding the nature of Brahman.
Shankaracharya also emphasized that Brahman is beyond human comprehension and cannot be described or understood through words or concepts. He believed that Brahman is beyond attributes, form, and time, and can only be experienced through deep meditation and self-realization.
Furthermore, Shankaracharya viewed Brahman as the source of all existence, the creator, sustainer, and destroyer of the universe. He believed that everything in the universe, including humans, is a manifestation of Brahman and that our ultimate goal in life should be to realize our true identity with Brahman.
Shankaracharya's concept of Brahman is closely related to the idea of Atman, the individual soul. He believed that Atman and Brahman are one and the same, and the ultimate goal of life is to realize this oneness. He stated, "Brahman is the only truth, the world is an illusion, and there is ultimately no difference between Brahman and the individual self."
In conclusion, Adi Shankaracharya's view on the concept of Brahman is that it is the ultimate reality, the source of all existence, and beyond human comprehension. He believed that true knowledge can only be attained by understanding the nature of Brahman and realizing our oneness with it. Shankaracharya's teachings on Brahman continue to influence Hinduism and other spiritual traditions to this day, making him a highly revered figure in Indian philosophy.