1. 1 The Upanişads Jeffrey L. Richey, Ph.D. REL 231 Religions of India and Tibet Berea College Fall 2003

2. 2 TRANSCENDING THE VEDAS Later Vedic texts (c. 1000-800 BCE) show interest in inner truth underlying outer ritual Contemplation of Brahman (omnipresent, immaterial, ineffable source of all) supersedes sacrifices to deities Upanişads (“sitting down close at hand,” c. 600 BCE) record master- disciple dialogues related to quest to overcome avidya (ignorance) and gain jñana (knowledge) Levels of jñana: 1. Pratibhasika – grasping complete illusion (vaita, dualistic) 2. Vyavaharika – grasping conventional illusion (vaita, dualistic) 3. Paramarthika – grasping ultimate reality (advaita, nondualistic)

3. 3 UPANISHADIC ANTHROPOLOGY Ātman = the self’s 3 “bodies”: 1. Causal (innermost, where karma accumulates) 2. Subtle (middlemost, where sensory impressions are stored) 3. Gross (outermost, which houses other elements as physical form) Gross body disintegrates at death, but causal and subtle bodies are eternal and pass on in samsara (cycle of rebirth conditioned by karmic retribution)

4. 4 UPANISHADIC PSYCHOLOGY 3 psychic organs: 1. Çitta (subconscious – transmits sensory stimuli) 2. Manas (conscious mind – receives sensory stimuli) 3. Buddhi (intellect or will – evaluates sensory stimuli) 4 levels of consciousness: 1. Waking (dominated by material concerns and self-awareness) 2. Dreaming (dominated by material concerns and self- awareness) 3. Dreamless (free of material concerns but not self-awareness) 4. Meditative (free of material concerns and self-awareness)

5. 5 THE PATH TO JÑANA Householder preparation (study of Upanişads, fulfillment of dharma, moral rectitude) Renunciation of society and adoption of mendicant status Discipleship with guru Yoga (“work,” “union”): 1. Hatha-yoga -- gymnastic 2. Kundalini-yoga -- sexual 3. Patanjali-yoga – combination of meditative, physical, and moral disciplines Yogic self-cultivation eventually leads to samadhi (experience of undifferentiated unity with Brahman)

6. 6 JÑANAMARGA: THE WAY OF KNOWLEDGE Overcome maya (illusion, especially the illusion of separation between ātman and Brahman) Realize unity of Brahman and ātman: “That is the Real: That is the Self: That you are!” Avoid actions (karma) that promote selfishness and maximize selflessness Through knowledge of one’s true self and positive karma, attain mokşa (liberation from samsara and full union with Brahman)

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