New Perspectives on Advaita Vedānta

Essays appraising the contemporary relevance of Śaṃkara for inter-religious dialogue and human rights as well as revised assessments of Śaṃkara’s understanding of divine grace, the role of the gods, Buddhism, Śaṃkara’s relation to later Advaita, and the unity of the Self.

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This volume is a collection of essays by leading scholars who treat various aspects of the Hindu thinker Śaṃkara (ca. 700 CE) and his system of Advaita Vedānta.
Topics include the contemporary relevance of Śaṃkara for inter-religious dialogue and human rights as well as revised assessments of Śaṃkara’s understanding of divine grace, the role of the gods, Buddhism, Śaṃkara’s relation to later Advaita, and the unity of the Self. The introductory essay of this commemoration volume assesses the place and value of Richard De Smet’s work in the context of twentieth century Śaṃkara scholarship.
The contributors break new scholarly ground and offer fresh perspectives on Śaṃkara and Advaita Vedānta and help reassess traditional understandings of this great master of non-duality.