The main beliefs of Vedanta—Advaita, Vishishtadvaita, and Dvaita—look at reality and what we think is real in different ways.
Advaita (Non-Dualism): This idea was created by a thinker named Adi Shankaracharya. Advaita says that the ultimate truth, called Brahman, is one and the same. It teaches that the world we see is like an illusion or a trick, kind of like a dream. For example, if you mistake a rope for a snake, it’s just a misunderstanding. We truly understand ourselves when we realize we are one with Brahman.
Vishishtadvaita (Qualified Non-Dualism): This belief was introduced by Ramanuja. It sees that there is both oneness and difference. Here, reality means experiencing Brahman in a real way, but we also recognize that the universe is real and different. You can think of it like the ocean (Brahman) being present in each wave (individual souls).
Dvaita (Dualism): This idea was started by Madhva. Dvaita says that there is a clear difference between God (Brahman) and individual souls. It sees reality as having two parts. Imagine a king and his subjects—each one has its own identity, but they all belong to the same kingdom.
These views show us how complicated reality can be and how we interact with what seems like an illusion in our lives.
The main beliefs of Vedanta—Advaita, Vishishtadvaita, and Dvaita—look at reality and what we think is real in different ways.
Advaita (Non-Dualism): This idea was created by a thinker named Adi Shankaracharya. Advaita says that the ultimate truth, called Brahman, is one and the same. It teaches that the world we see is like an illusion or a trick, kind of like a dream. For example, if you mistake a rope for a snake, it’s just a misunderstanding. We truly understand ourselves when we realize we are one with Brahman.
Vishishtadvaita (Qualified Non-Dualism): This belief was introduced by Ramanuja. It sees that there is both oneness and difference. Here, reality means experiencing Brahman in a real way, but we also recognize that the universe is real and different. You can think of it like the ocean (Brahman) being present in each wave (individual souls).
Dvaita (Dualism): This idea was started by Madhva. Dvaita says that there is a clear difference between God (Brahman) and individual souls. It sees reality as having two parts. Imagine a king and his subjects—each one has its own identity, but they all belong to the same kingdom.
These views show us how complicated reality can be and how we interact with what seems like an illusion in our lives.