Brahman is the ultimate, supreme, and absolute reality in Hinduism. It is the underlying, unifying substance that is the source and basis of all existence, encompassing all aspects of the universe and the divine essence present in all things.
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Brahman is the ultimate, eternal, and unchanging reality that underlies and transcends the physical universe.
Brahman is often described as being without form, qualities, or attributes, and is considered beyond human comprehension.
The concept of Brahman is central to the Advaita Vedanta school of Hindu philosophy, which teaches that Brahman is the only true reality and that the individual self (Atman) is identical with Brahman.
Brahman is believed to be the source of all existence, the foundation of all that is, and the ultimate cause of the universe.
The relationship between Brahman and the individual self (Atman) is a key focus of Hindu metaphysics and the quest for spiritual enlightenment.
Review Questions
Explain how the concept of Brahman relates to the classical Indian philosophical tradition of 3.2 Classical Indian Philosophy.
The concept of Brahman is central to the classical Indian philosophical tradition of 3.2 Classical Indian Philosophy. Brahman is understood as the ultimate, supreme, and absolute reality that underlies and transcends the physical universe. This idea of a unifying, divine essence that is the source of all existence is a foundational tenet of many Indian philosophical schools, particularly the Advaita Vedanta tradition. The relationship between Brahman and the individual self (Atman) is a key focus of metaphysical inquiry within this tradition, as the realization of the identity between Atman and Brahman is seen as the path to spiritual enlightenment and liberation.
Describe how the concept of Brahman relates to the philosophical notion of substance (6.1 Substance).
In the context of 6.1 Substance, the concept of Brahman can be understood as the ultimate, underlying substance that is the foundation of all existence. Brahman is often described as the singular, eternal, and unchanging reality that is the source and basis of the physical universe and all that is. This aligns with philosophical conceptions of substance as the fundamental, enduring entity that supports and gives rise to the various phenomena and qualities we observe in the world. The idea of Brahman as the unifying, divine essence that is present in all things also relates to philosophical debates around the nature of substance and its relationship to the diversity of the physical world.
Analyze how the concept of Brahman informs the Hindu philosophical understanding of the self and identity (6.2 Self and Identity).
The Hindu philosophical concept of Brahman is deeply intertwined with the notion of self and identity as explored in 6.2 Self and Identity. In the Advaita Vedanta tradition, the individual self (Atman) is believed to be identical with the universal divine essence of Brahman. This challenges traditional Western conceptions of the self as a distinct, autonomous entity, and instead posits that the true nature of the self is the realization of one's fundamental unity with the absolute reality of Brahman. The quest for spiritual enlightenment within this tradition is therefore centered on the transcendence of the illusory, limited sense of individual identity (Maya) and the recognition of one's essential oneness with the eternal, unchanging Brahman. This philosophical perspective has profound implications for understanding the nature of the self, personal identity, and the individual's relationship to the divine.
The philosophical texts within the Vedas that explore the nature of Brahman and the relationship between the individual self (Atman) and the universal divine essence.