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Definition: The Vedanta is one of the traditional six schools of philosophy in Hinduism, and perhaps one of the best known. One of its chief characteristics is that it focuses on implications in the Upanishads that all reality is a single principle, Brahman.
As a result, Vedanta teaches adherents that the believer's goal is to transcend the limitations of self-identity and realize their unity with the impersonal Brahman-Atman. Failure to realize this unity results in the continuation of samsara, or the cycle of death and rebirth.
The Vedanta school also contains a second, theistic strain of thought which postulates a pesonal absolute. Based in part on commentaries on the Bhagavad Gita, it is believed that matter and spirit form ta personal absolute labeled brahman which is identified with the popular god Vishnu.
Also Known As: Uttara Mimasa
Alternate Spellings: none
Common Misspellings: none
Related Resources:
What is Theism?
What is the difference between monotheism and monolatry? Between pantheism and panentheism? How about between animism and shamanism? Or theism and deism? What the heck is henotheism? For that matter, what is and is not a religion?What is Religion?
A system of human beliefs, ideals and practices which is harder to define than it may at first appear.
