key term - Maya

Definition

Maya is a fundamental concept in classical Indian philosophy, referring to the illusion or the apparent reality of the world. It represents the idea that the physical world we perceive is not the ultimate reality, but rather a veil of deception that obscures the true, divine nature of existence.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Maya is the fundamental concept in classical Indian philosophy that explains the apparent reality of the physical world as an illusion that obscures the true, divine nature of existence.
2. The idea of Maya suggests that the world we perceive through our senses is not the ultimate reality, but rather a veil of deception that hides the true, eternal, and absolute reality known as Brahman.
3. Maya is responsible for the cycle of Samsara, the endless cycle of birth, death, and rebirth that individuals are trapped in due to their attachment to the illusory physical world.
4. Overcoming the illusion of Maya and attaining the realization of Brahman as the true reality is the ultimate goal of spiritual enlightenment and the path to Moksha, or liberation from the cycle of Samsara.
5. The concept of Maya is central to the understanding of cosmology and the existence of God in classical Indian philosophy, as it explains the apparent duality of the physical world and the divine, eternal reality.

Review Questions

• Explain the role of Maya in the context of classical Indian philosophy.
  • In classical Indian philosophy, Maya is the fundamental concept that explains the apparent reality of the physical world as an illusion that obscures the true, divine nature of existence. Maya represents the idea that the world we perceive through our senses is not the ultimate reality, but rather a veil of deception that hides the eternal and absolute reality known as Brahman. This illusion of Maya is responsible for the cycle of Samsara, the endless cycle of birth, death, and rebirth that individuals are trapped in due to their attachment to the physical world. Overcoming the illusion of Maya and attaining the realization of Brahman as the true reality is the ultimate goal of spiritual enlightenment and the path to Moksha, or liberation from the cycle of Samsara.
• Discuss the relationship between Maya and the concept of Brahman in classical Indian cosmology.
  • In the context of classical Indian cosmology, the concept of Maya is intimately linked to the understanding of Brahman, the supreme, eternal, and absolute reality. Maya represents the illusion or the apparent reality of the physical world, which is seen as a veil that obscures the true nature of Brahman. The world we perceive through our senses is not the ultimate reality, but rather a manifestation of Maya, the cosmic delusion that hides the divine, unitary essence of Brahman. The existence of Maya is what gives rise to the perceived duality of the physical world and the divine, eternal reality of Brahman. Overcoming the illusion of Maya and realizing the unity of Brahman is the key to understanding the true nature of existence and attaining spiritual liberation from the cycle of Samsara.
• Analyze the role of Maya in the context of the existence of God in classical Indian philosophy.
  • In classical Indian philosophy, the concept of Maya is central to the understanding of the existence of God, or the divine reality. Maya represents the illusion or the apparent reality of the physical world, which is seen as a veil that obscures the true, eternal, and absolute nature of the divine. The existence of Maya is what gives rise to the perceived duality between the physical world and the divine, unitary essence of Brahman, the supreme reality. From this perspective, the apparent existence of the physical world and the multiplicity of phenomena are not the ultimate truth, but rather a manifestation of Maya, the cosmic delusion that hides the underlying unity and divinity of existence. Overcoming the illusion of Maya and realizing the oneness of Brahman is the key to understanding the true nature of the divine and the ultimate reality in classical Indian philosophy. The concept of Maya, therefore, plays a crucial role in the cosmological and theological frameworks of these philosophical traditions.

Related terms

Brahman:

Brahman is the supreme, eternal, and absolute reality in Hinduism, which is considered the true essence of the universe beyond the illusion of Maya.

Samsara:

Samsara is the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth that individuals are trapped in due to the illusion of Maya, which can only be broken through spiritual enlightenment.

Moksha:

Moksha is the liberation from the cycle of Samsara and the illusion of Maya, allowing one to attain a state of ultimate spiritual freedom and unity with the divine.