Shankara & Ramanuja

[A Clockwork Orange*]

Hi, I don't know if anyone could help me, but I'm having trouble understanding Shankara and Ramanuja..

This is what I have so far,

Shankara-

Believes that only the permanant (Brahman/Atman) is real. The phenomenal world is an illusion caused by Maya.

Ramanuja-

Critizes Shankara's theory saying that the material world is not just an illusion, It is real in relation to Brahman.

could somone let me know if i'm on the right track?

Thankyou x x x

[Jedi]

Hi, I don't know if anyone could help me, but I'm having trouble understanding Shankara and Ramanuja..

This is what I have so far,

Shankara-

Believes that only the permanant (Brahman/Atman) is real. The phenomenal world is an illusion caused by Maya.

Ramanuja-

Critizes Shankara's theory saying that the material world is not just an illusion, It is real in relation to Brahman.

could somone let me know if i'm on the right track?

Thankyou x x xShankara says that everything in this material world is an illusion and brahman is the one who alone remains, he is the infinite self, the infinite consciousness, the self that alone exists... which is ofcourse true, however ramanuja goes above that...

The main point of shankara's teachings is that "you" , "I" , "they" are an illusion, we are all brahman- one thing.

The main point of ramanuja's teaching is that "You" , "I" are not unreal, they are real as they can be!, you will not lose your identity no matter what you do... however you are a part of the whole thing - God.

Shankara says " God is the whole, there is no difference between you and God, if God is water , you are the drop of water, you and God are both water, there is no difference"

Ramanuja says "God is the whole, but there is a difference between you and God because you are part of that whole thing called God, if God is like the water, you are like the drop there is a difference between a drop and the whole ocean. However, you and God are both water, so your essence is the same, the magnitude of that essence is unlimited in God, but minute in you! because you , I and everyone else is a part of God... God is more than just the "whole" "

In essence, Shankara and Ramanuja say the same things, its just that their way of looking at it is a little different.

Hope this helps! :)

[ChiefCowpie]

"Shankara vs. Ramanuja on the nature of the Atman
Shankara (8th c.)
non-dualism (advaita) [= monism]
atman = God
'is' in an algebraic sense
moksha = disappearance of self into ultimate
like drop of water into ocean

Ramanuja (11th c.)
qualified non-dualism (vishishtadvaita)
atman = god-essence
'is' in a set theoretical sense
moksha = eternal intimate union with God "

[Jedi]

"Shankara vs. Ramanuja on the nature of the Atman

Shankara (8th c.)

non-dualism (advaita) [= monism]
atman = God

'is' in an algebraic sense
moksha = disappearance of self into ultimate

like drop of water into ocean

Ramanuja (11th c.)


qualified non-dualism (vishishtadvaita)
atman = god-essence

'is' in a set theoretical sense
moksha = eternal intimate union with God "

:D

Cool! I think that starts and sums it up :) I have to remember this. very nicely explained , thank you.