The Gaudiya Vaishnava Concept of the World
Sun, 02/10/2008 - 18:39 — admin
MICHAEL: What about the world? If material nature is an energy emanating from the Supreme Person, then obviously the Vaishnavas must accept that its existence is factual. Is that not correct?
TEACHER: Yes, that is correct. The world is real, although it is temporary.32 It is also very clearly described in the Vedanta-sutra that the cosmic manifestation has come into existence due to a transformation of the Lord’s energies.33
But Shankaracharya would not admit this. Although he puts himself forward as a follower of the Vedas—a Vedantin—he actually places greater value on his interpretation of Vedanta-sutra than on Vedanta-sutra itself. This can be seen by the fact that to uphold his doctrine of oneness, he refused to accept the authority of the verses in Vedanta-sutra which declare the cosmic manifestation to be a transformation of the Lord’s energy. This is a very significant point, and although it will take some time, I’d like to read you a verse from Chaitanya Charitamrita and a portion of the commentary given on that verse by the great Vaishnava sage Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. The verse states:
In his Vedanta-sutra, Srila Vyasadeva has described that everything is but a transformation of the energy of the Lord. Shankaracharya, however, has misled the world by commenting that Vyasadeva was mistaken. Thus, he has raised great opposition to theism throughout the entire world.34
In his purport to this verse, Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada states:
Not believing in the fact that the energy of the Absolute Truth is transformed, Shankaracharya has propounded his theory of illusion. This theory states that although the Absolute Truth is never transformed, we think that it is transformed, which is an illusion. Shankaracharya does not believe in the transformation of the energy of the Absolute Truth, for he claims that everything is one and that the living entity is therefore also one with the Supreme. This is the Mayavada theory.
Why does a person claim ownership of a thing or of another person? To control it or them. And why does he want to control it? Usually because he wants to be the enjoyer of it.The Gaudiya Vaishnava Concept of the World
Science of Identity Foundation – Chris Butler Speaks
MICHAEL: What about the world? If material nature is an energy emanating from the Supreme Person, then obviously the Vaishnavas must accept that its existence is factual. Is that not correct?
TEACHER: Yes, that is correct. The world is real, although it is temporary.32 It is also very clearly described in the Vedanta-sutra that the cosmic manifestation has come into existence due to a transformation of the Lord’s energies.33
But Shankaracharya would not admit this. Although he puts himself forward as a follower of the Vedas—a Vedantin—he actually places greater value on his interpretation of Vedanta-sutra than on Vedanta-sutra itself. This can be seen by the fact that to uphold his doctrine of oneness, he refused to accept the authority of the verses in Vedanta-sutra which declare the cosmic manifestation to be a transformation of the Lord’s energy. This is a very significant point, and although it will take some time, I’d like to read you a verse from Chaitanya Charitamrita and a portion of the commentary given on that verse by the great Vaishnava sage Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. The verse states:
In his Vedanta-sutra, Srila Vyasadeva has described that everything is but a transformation of the energy of the Lord. Shankaracharya, however, has misled the world by commenting that Vyasadeva was mistaken. Thus, he has raised great opposition to theism throughout the entire world.34
In his purport to this verse, Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada states:
Not believing in the fact that the energy of the Absolute Truth is transformed, Shankaracharya has propounded his theory of illusion. This theory states that although the Absolute Truth is never transformed, we think that it is transformed, which is an illusion. Shankaracharya does not believe in the transformation of the energy of the Absolute Truth, for he claims that everything is one and that the living entity is therefore also one with the Supreme. This is the Mayavada theory.