vedanta

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> INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF VEDANTA <

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> Advaita Vedanta, Vivekananda, Ramakrishna <

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Vedanta (Devanagari: वेदान्त, VedÄnta) was originally a word used in Hindu philosophy as a synonym for that part of the Veda texts known also as the Upanishads. The name is a sandhied form of Veda-anta = „Veda-end“ = „the appendix to the Vedas“. By the 8th century CE, the word also came to be used to describe a group of philosophical traditions concerned with the self-realisation by which one understands the ultimate nature of reality (Brahman). The word Vedanta teaches that the believer’s goal is to transcend the limitations of self-identity. Vedanta is not restricted or confined to one book and there is no sole source for Vedantic philosophy. Vedanta is based on two simple propositions: 1.) Human nature is divine. 2.) The aim of human life is to realize that human nature is divine. READ FULL ARTICLE > HERE <

Advaita Vedanta (IAST Advaita VedÄnta; Sanskrit अद्वैत वेदान्त;  is a sub-school of the VedÄnta (literally, end or the goal of the Vedas, Sanskrit) school of Hindu philosophy. Other major sub-schools of VedÄnta are Dvaita and ViśishṭÄdvaita. Advaita (literally, non-duality) is a monistic system of thought. „Advaita“ refers to the identity of the Self (Atman) and the Whole (Brahman).

The key source texts for all schools of VedÄnta are the Prasthanatrayi—the canonical texts consisting of the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita and the Brahma Sutras. The first person to explicitly consolidate the principles of Advaita Vedanta was Adi Shankara while the first historical proponent was Gaudapada, the guru of Shankara’s guru Govinda Bhagavatpada. READ FULL ARTICLE >HERE <

The Advaita Vedanta Anusandhana Kendra (Advaita Vedanta Research Center) is dedicated to increasing knowledge of the tenets of Advaita Vedanta–a philosophy and religion based on the Vedas that teaches the non-duality of the individual soul and God–as expressed by its foremost exponent Shankaracharya (whose picture you see above) and the unbroken succession of teachers descended from him.

Die Philosophenschulen – Im Anschluss an die vedische Zeit entstanden in Indien verschiedene Philosophenschulen. Einige davon akzeptierten die Veden als Autorität, diese Schulen werden als orthodox bezeichnet. Andere Schulen lehnten die Veden ab. Dies sind der Buddhismus, die Jaina-Religion und die Charvakas (Materialisten). Von den orthodoxen Schulen sind in spiritueller Hinsicht interessant:

  • Samkhya – diese Schule versucht die Welt möglichst logisch zu erklären.
  • Yoga – baut auf den Theorien des Samkhya auf und liefert eine praktische Methode.
  • Tantra – baut auf den Theorien des Vedanta, bzw. Advaita auf und liefert eine praktische Methode.
  • Vedanta – Vedanta, wörtlich Veda-Ende, bezieht sich also auf die Upanishaden. Deren Botschaft fasste Badarâyana in seinen Vedanta-Sutras äußerst knapp zusammen.
  • Den Ganzen Artikel lesen: > Yoga, Tantra – Samkhya & Vedanta <

International Vedanta Society – Vedanta is a spiritual science that shines light upon our very nature, illuminating the truth that we are all One with God, and that our souls are the divine manifestation of existence, knowledge, and bliss.

This truth is veiled beneath false beliefs that would limit us through fears, doubts and weaknesses. Vedanta uproots this ignorance thereby inviting us to embrace the truth of who we are (omnipresent, omniscient and omnipotent). This universal truth is available to any seeker regardless of religion, culture, or sex.

The core and founder of IVS is Bhagavan. His deep love and concern for others inspired him to pioneer many social welfare activities, even as a child. His passionate quest for truth led him to the holy feet of his master Swami Pavitrandaji Maharaj, and through his teachings, Bhagavan sank into the depths of Nirvikalpa Samadhi, (realization of the Supreme Self) in 1984, and Mahabhava (Supreme Godhood) in 1987. Since that time, Bhagavan has strived to help others attain and taste supreme joy and love.

The life and words of Bhagavan, through truth and love incarnate, offer a shelter for the tired and weary, who return home with peace, bliss, confidence, hope, and life.

The International Vedanta Society (IVS), was formed on November 19th, 1989 through the divine will manifesting in Bhagavan. Commencing its journey from Guwahati in the North Eastern part of India, the society has within a short span spread to various countries throughout the world, through its mediums of love and service. Realization of the Self or God is the key note of IVS. Its members and well-wishers strive continuously to radiate eternal love and bliss.

International Congress of Vedanta was established in 1986 by Professor S.S. Rama Rao Pappu in the Department of Philosophy, Miami University in order to bring together scholars specializing in Indian Philosophies and Religions from all over the world for the study and exchange of ideas and to promote research. In the past eighteen years, fifteen conferences were organized, ten of them at Miami University and five conferences were organized abroad – in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, and in Rishikesh (Himalayas), Madras, Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam, India.

Centennial celebrations of great Indian philosophers were also held during the Vedanta Conferences – e.g. birth centennial of S. Radhakrishnan in 1988, 1200th anniversary of Sri Sankaracharya in 1990, centennial of Swami Vivekananda’s sojourn to America and his participation in the Parliament of World’s Religions in Chicago in 1992, birth centennial of J. Krishnamurti in 1995, and the 700th anniversary of sanjeewan Samadhi of Sri Jnaneswara in 1996.

Vedanta Congress welcomes for presentation in the conferences research papers in all areas of Indian philosophies and religions.

Though the first Vedanta Conference began with a narrowly focused group for the study of Vedantic texts and their interpretation, the scope of the Vedanta Congress was expanded during the years to include:

  • (a) all major schools of Vedanta (Advaita, Visistadvaita, Dvaita, Suddhadvaita, etc.), Hindu, Buddhist and Jaina Darsanas, Epics, Puranas and Dharma Sastras
  • (b) applied Indian philosophy, dealing with contemporary issues like abortion and euthanasia, war and peace, caste and race, karma and cloning
  • (c) Indian philosophical implications of recent developments in mathematics, life sciences, cognitive science, etc.

 

Fundamental Concepts of Vedanta – ABSTRACT Modern Science & Vedanta-II e

by Sachin Gupta :

 

Everything living & nonliving is interpenetrated by Brahman, the all pervading consciousness.

  • (Sarvam Khalu Idam Brahma – Chandogya Upanishad)
  • The finite has infinite as its background .The smallest contains the greatest.
  • (Anoranian Mahto mahiyan – Katha Upanishad)
  • The individual soul-Atman is therefore identified with the universal soul-Brahman.
  • (Aham Brahmasmi – Brihadaranyaka Upanishad)
  • In the holistic universe, everything is fundamentally interconnected by a common background – the Brahman.
  • (Mayi Sarvam Idam Protam Sutr Manigana Iva – Bhagvad Gita)
  • In this space-time-causation world of maya things happen without any apparent or local cause .
  • (Aghatana ghatana patiyasi Maya)
  • External world which is transitory, therefore unreal, is created by our consciousness.
  • (Drisyah Dhirvttayah – Drk Drsya Viveka)
  • All energy or force in the universe is derived from One cosmic energy-Prana.
  • (Prana vai satyam – Bradaranyaka Upanishad)
  • The Absolute has become the relative through space-time and causation. The relative-space-time is, nothing but the Absolute itself seen through the glasses of space-time-causation.
  • Atman = Brahman (“Atman is Brahman : Brahman is Atman”)
  • Absolute or Infinite can’t be two.
  • (Ekam Eva Advityam)
  • TRUTH IS ONE: sages call it by various names
  • (Ekam Sat Vipra Bhaudha Vadanti)
  • One and many are the same Reality. This One or Unity has been described by monistic Vedanta as Advaita (non-dual)
  • (A=Not, DAITA=Two)
  • This REALITY is OMNIJECTIVE = Objective + Subjective

 

 

Joseph John Campbell (March 26, 1904 – October 31, 1987) was an American mythologist, writer and lecturer, best known for his work in comparative mythology and comparative religion. His work is vast, covering many aspects of the human experience. His philosophy is often summarized by his phrase: „Follow your bliss.“

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Campbell

 

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi  was the pre-eminent political and spiritual leader of India during the Indian independence movement. He was the pioneer of satyagraha—resistance to tyranny through mass civil disobedience, a philosophy firmly founded upon ahimsa or total nonviolence—which led India to independence and inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world. Gandhi is commonly known around the world as Mahatma Gandhi  Sanskrit: महात्मा mahÄtmÄ or „Great Soul“, an honorific first applied to him by Rabindranath Tagore) and in India also as Bapu (Gujarati: બાપુ, bÄpu or „Father“). He is officially honoured in India as the Father of the Nation; his birthday, 2 October, is commemorated there as Gandhi Jayanti, a national holiday, and worldwide as the International Day of Non-Violence.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohandas_Karamchand_Gandhi

The American Museum of Natural History is one of the world’s preeminent scientific and cultural institutions. Since its founding in 1869, the Museum has advanced its global mission to discover, interpret and disseminate information about human cultures, the natural world and the universe through a wide-ranging program of scientific research, education and exhibition.

The Museum is renowned for its exhibitions and scientific collections, which serve as a field guide to the entire planet and present a panorama of the world’s cultures.

http://www.amnh.org/