Vedantism is a term used to describe a philosophical system that originated in ancient India. The spelling of the word "Vedantism" is pronounced as /veɪdʌntɪzəm/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The "V" sound is pronounced as a voiced labiodental fricative, the "a" sound is pronounced as a short vowel, and the "d" sound is pronounced as a voiced dental stop. The "an" sound is pronounced as a nasal vowel, and the "t" sound is pronounced as an unvoiced dental stop. The "ism" ending is pronounced with a voiced consonant and a schwa sound.
Vedantism, also known as Vedanta, is a philosophical and spiritual school of thought deeply rooted in the ancient scriptures of Hinduism known as the Vedas. It is considered one of the six orthodox systems of Hindu philosophy. Vedantism primarily revolves around the interpretation and study of the Upanishads, which are philosophical texts that form the concluding part of the Vedas.
At its core, Vedantism seeks to explore the nature of reality, the self, and the ultimate truth (known as Brahman) that underlies all existence. One of its fundamental teachings is the concept of the non-dual nature of reality, emphasizing that the individual soul (Atman) and the supreme soul (Brahman) are ultimately one and the same.
Vedantism propounds that the realization of this unity leads to liberation (Moksha) from the cycle of birth and death, enabling one to achieve spiritual enlightenment and the direct experience of the divine. It promotes various paths to attaining this realization, such as Jnana Yoga (the path of knowledge and wisdom), Bhakti Yoga (the path of devotion), and Karma Yoga (the path of selfless action).
Vedantism has had a profound influence on Hindu spirituality, shaping the beliefs and practices of millions of adherents. Its teachings have also permeated various aspects of Indian culture and have been subject to extensive commentary and interpretation by philosophers, scholars, and spiritual leaders throughout history.
In summary, Vedantism is a philosophical and spiritual tradition within Hinduism that explores the nature of reality, the self, and ultimate truth. Through the study and realization of the non-dual nature of existence, it aims to guide individuals towards spiritual enlightenment and liberation.
The word "Vedantism" is derived from the term "Vedanta", which has its roots in Sanskrit. "Vedanta" is a compound word consisting of "Veda" and "Anta". "Veda" refers to the ancient sacred texts of Hinduism, often considered the oldest scriptures in the world. "Anta" means "end" or "conclusion". Therefore, "Vedanta" can be translated as "the end or conclusion of the Vedas" or "the essence of the Vedas".
"Vedantism" is the term used to refer to the philosophical system and spiritual tradition associated with Vedanta. It encompasses various schools of thought and interpretations based on the principles and teachings found in the Vedanta texts, particularly the Upanishads.