Buddhism etc.

[Rajiv Malhotra]

By the same token, Ramana Maharishi and Nisargadatta Maharaj, did not think
that you need to study ancient scriptures at all. So it depends on which
acharyas you select.

Rajiv



-----Original Message-----
From: List for advaita vedanta as taught by Shri Shankara
[mailto:ADVAITA-L at braincells.com]On Behalf Of Ravisankar S. Mayavaram
Sent: Friday, May 19, 2000 9:43 AM
To: ADVAITA-L at LISTS.ADVAITA-VEDANTA.ORG
Subject: Buddhism etc.

Dear All,

>From what I understand:

1) Should one learn buddhism or buddhist scriptures to understand
vedAnta?

No. Our achaarya-s do not think so. (Nanda if I am wrong please
quote a work). You may want to do this only if you are interested
in publishing papers and books.

2) Do we have something to learn from buddhism for the practice
of our religion?

No. Our achaarya-s do not think so.

3) Do we need anything at all from buddhism to attain
self-realization?

No. Our achaarya-s do not think so.

At all levels we do not need it. Then why do we bother about it
anyway! If at all, I think it is more fruitful to look at other
schools of vedAnta like vishishhTaadvaita and dvaita for any
useful comparisons (in practice and philosophy).

Also Nanda's contention that one should read mAdhyAmika shaastram
to understand mAyA is incorrect. If we read the works of our
AchArya-s and teachers in our tradition that is enough. If
someone does not understand mAyA as used in advaita-vedAnta
texts simply means that he or she has not devoted enough time
reading the texts.

And  we should take up works like upadeshasaahasri,
vivekachuuDaamaniH, shankara's bhaashhya-s and study them in this
list to rectify it.

My 2c. Please feel free to correct me.

With love and respects to all,

Ravi

--
bhava shankara deshikame sharaNam

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