[Advaita-l] [advaitin] Kilogram concluded

[H S Chandramouli]

Namaste.

Why is Ignorance as a positive entity posited in the Shrutis?

In all illustrations being presented here, like cave etc, there is already
darkness and what is needed is light for knowledge. Here we are faced with
an entirely different situation. What is *Existing* is unalloyed Knowledge,
meaning that the infrastructure is readily available for anything capable
of gaining knowledge to gain it with the help of this Source.  However it
is noticed in experience that correct knowledge concerning this  *Entity*
itself is not available. There is universally ignorance (partial knowledge)
about this *Entity*. This is possible ONLY if there is an obstruction for
its correct knowledge to take place. Hence an *obstruction* is stated in
the Shrutis, and this is termed Ignorance. This is a fundamental Ignorance
because unless this is overcome correct knowledge of the *Entity* cannot
take place.

It is only with the help of this *Entity*, whatever knowledge anyone has is
enabled. In the absence of this, no knowledge of anything is possible. It
is as if everything is covered. Which is what happens in our experience
when darkness obtains. Hence this fundamental obstruction is also termed
*darkness*. And this ^Darkness* is termed a *positive* entity.

The Shrutis also posit that correct knowledge of this *Entity* is highly
beneficial and should be the Goal of life.

Regards

On Thu, Sep 5, 2024 at 7:36 PM <dwaite at advaita.org.uk> wrote:

> Dear Ram-ji,
>
>
>
> I, too, was lamenting the fact that there were so few appropriate changes
> to the subject headings. I seem to remember making a similar complaint many
> years ago. Current discussions have little to do with my original remarks.
> (Before anyone makes the comment, I do accept that it is usually desirable
> to keep the same heading, as I am doing now, so that we can recognize the
> trail of the discussion but, when the discussion branches or changes into
> some new aspect, I think the heading should change also.)
>
>
>
> Your reference to Plato’s ‘Cave’ metaphor seems very appropriate. As I
> recall this, the people in the cave continue in their depleted environment
> until someone (the philosopher-teacher) comes down from the outside and
> explains their situation to them. I.e. not so much ‘removing’ anything from
> their understanding but telling them what things are really like and giving
> them a more rational explanation for the figures that they see. The
> darkness is a metaphor for their lack of the light of knowledge from
> outside the cave and not a ‘positive’ thing.
>
>
>
> So, when you say “Those inside the cave only experience the ton of
> darkness due to their ignorance”, I would rather say that they experience
> the darkness because there is no light coming in from outside. ‘Ignorance’
> is just a word we use for ‘lack of knowledge’ and not an ontological
> reality.
>
>
>
> And I guess that comment probably brings the discussion back to its
> starting point…
>
>
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Dennis
>
>
>
> *From:* advaitin at googlegroups.com <advaitin at googlegroups.com> *On Behalf
> Of *Ram Chandran
> *Sent:* Thursday, September 5, 2024 1:00 PM
> *To:* advaitin <advaitin at googlegroups.com>
> *Subject:* Re: [advaitin] Kilogram concluded
>
>
>
>
> Namaskar:
>
> Our Senior Moderator and philosopher Dennisji posted a message with the
> title, "A kilogram of darkness!" Probably a more appropriate title could be
> "A Ton of Darkness" which will likely be more appealing!  It is interesting
> to note that the role of darkness and how takes the seekers away from the
> Reality has been discussed in greater length by both the western and
> eastern philosophers. For example in the topic pertains to "Plato's
> Allegory of the Cave," Plato uses the cave as a symbolic representation of
> how the experience of the seekers who live in this world is contrasted with
> the Reality! The cave is full of darkness and the light is experienced by
> those who are outside the cave.  Those inside the cave only experience the
> ton of darkenss due to their ignorance!  Plato's Allegory of the Cave is a
> social metaphor for how intelligence (especially intelligence that refutes
> accepted/common knowledge) can expel people from society! Those who live in
> inside the dark cave can only see shadows and reflections of reality if and
> when they light some fire! For those in the cave the shadows that they see
> on the walls of the cave is the Truth and Reality. If one escapes from the
> cave and experiences the light outside then the escaped person only knows
> the difference between light and darkness!!
>
> Ignorance is the cause for not recognizing the Reality has been understood
> by all but Sankara's Advaita philosophy has spelled out in very clear
> terms.  Implicitly, we all live inside the Plato's cave as prisoners
> (seekers) relying only on the experiences from our senses and experience
> only a little of the Nature of Reality. Advaita recognize the fact that to
> realize the Nature of Reality one has to go beyond the senses!
> Ram Chandran
>
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