Anubhūtisvarūpācārya’s contribution to Advaita Vedānta with particular reference to Avidyā, Māyā, Yoga and Mokṣa

Thesis

This thesis seeks to bring to light the major contribution to Advaita Vedānta of the little-known 13th century teacher of Advaita, Anubhūtisvarūpācārya to the with reference to his major works on Advaita, showing this to be far greater than previously appreciated in the scholastic world.

It explores the particular intervention ofAnubhūtisvarūpācārya in debates about the status of avidyā, māyā, yoga and mokṣa, helping to chart the development of doctrines in schools of Advaita Vedānta over time. The specific issues relevant to the argument are the two major traditions interpreting Ãdi Śaṇkara’s Brahma-sūtra-bhāṣya, viz. the Bhāmatī tradition of Vācaspati Miśra and the Vivaraṇa tradition of Prakāśātma Yāti’s Pañcapādika Vivaraṇam with particular reference to the status of māyā.

The thesis argues thatAnubhūtisvarūpācārya’s distinctive contribution lies in his interpretation of the doctrines of māyā/avidyā, yoga and mokṣa, that affirm the role of meditative practice on the path to mokṣa. His views, although largely following the Vivaraṇa tradition, differ in some important respects. They effectively incorporate an advanced form of Yogic meditation into the practice of Advaita. He thereby seems to meet certain socio-historical needs of the community by crafting a theology suitable to ascetic and non-ascetic alike. He may also be responding to competing groups or pūrvapakṣins in central India in the middle of the 13th century A.D.

The thesis considers the specific concerns ofAnubhūtisvarūpācārya’s community at the time, along with an evaluation of methods (sādhana), asparśa-yoga, the use of Om and the ‘Great sentences’/ mahāvākyas like ‘This Self is Absolute’/ayam atmā brahma advocated to help one realise Total Freedom/ mokṣa.

The thesis argues that for Anubhūtisvarūpācārya the texts of revelation are a distinctive conjunction of Yogic and Advaitic ideas, which have profound implications for Advaitic realisation.

At this point in history they marked a key development in the Advaita Vedānta teaching which has profound significance right down to the present day.

Authors: Thompson, SP

• DOI: 10.5287/ora-kzypymgky
• Type of award: DPhil
• Level of award: Doctoral
• Awarding institution: University of Oxford
• Language: English