Advaitas

Advaitas refers to adherents of Advaita Vedanta, a non-dual philosophical tradition within Hinduism that holds the true Self (atman) to be identical with the ultimate reality (Brahman). The term Advaita means “not two.” In this view, the multiplicity of the world is illusory or mithya, arising from ignorance (avidya) and the power of Maya. Liberation (moksha) is the realization that there is no real difference between atman and Brahman, and that recognizing this non-dual truth ends all misperception.

Origins and development: Advaita Vedanta traces its scriptural and philosophical roots to the Upanishads and is historically associated with early figures such as Gaudapada (notably his Mandukya Karika) and the later systematizer Adi Shankaracharya (8th century CE). Shankaracharya organized and defended a monistic interpretation against rival Hindu schools, notably Dvaita and Vishishtadvaita, and produced foundational commentaries on the Upanishads, the Brahma Sutras, and the Bhagavad Gita. The tradition continued through medieval exponents like Vidyaranya and Mandana Mishra’s scholastic debates, and remained influential into modern times, influencing contemporary teachers who present non-dual awareness in both traditional and modern contexts.

Core tenets and methodology: Advaita posits a single ultimate reality, Brahman, of which the diverse world is a dependent manifestation. The apparent self (jiva) and the phenomenal world are delusions or appearances caused by ignorance; knowledge (jnana) and discrimination (viveka) reveal the unity of atman and Brahman. Techniques associated with Advaita include scriptural pramana (authority of Shruti), the method of negation (neti-neti) to distinguish real from unreal, and contemplative inquiry such as self-inquiry (atma-vichara). Moksha is achieved through the direct experience of non-duality rather than through ritual or dualistic theism.