Bhagavan Buddha: ~ There are only two mistakes one can make along the
road to truth: not going all the way... and not starting.
It is no use arguing Bhagavan Buddha is wrong or Sage Sri Sankara is right, but where we are going wrong in our understanding the non-dualistic or Advaitic truth, propagated by the great sages of the past. Some say, that without the sunyavada, Advaita philosophy could not have come into existence because Advaita starts from where sunyavada ends. That is why they say it is an extension of Buddhism. If Advaita existed prior to Bhagavam Buddha, he would not have advocated sunyavada at all because Advaita is the final and ultimate truth.
Since the Buddhist and the Vedic scriptures have been passed down by hearing, they were written down only relatively late, so one wouldn't know whether to rely on the times they give. Also, a lot depends on the translation. Each 'Sloka' or sutta is open to many layers of interpretation.
Bhagvan Buddha: ~ No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path.
Orthodoxy is meant for the ignorant populace. Even highly educated people are caught up in orthodoxy just because they have inherited from their forefathers
Bhagvan Buddha, Sage Sankara, and Sage Goudpada have declared non-dual truth centuries back, but one has to reach the destination with the scientific (rational) investigation, not through punditry and intellectuality. One has to mentally reach the final conclusion then only the conviction becomes firm. Without a firm conviction, the wisdom will not dawn. Therefore, there is a need to realize the consciousness is real, all else is a myth, which Sage Sankara declared as the world is myth Brahman alone is real and eternal.
Sage Sankara says Atman is Brahman and everything is Brahman is a scientific declaration not religious or yogic. Sage Sankara and Sage Goudpada are more scientific than anyone else in the world. Since the real Advaitic essence is hidden it cannot be got without the inner (mental) journey.
Sage Goudpada says:~The merciful Veda teaches karma and Upasana to people of lower and middling intellect while Jnana is taught to those of higher intellect.
Gnana here is Advaitic truth or rational truth or scientific truth. Thus, their scientific truth of the whole, not the part is declared by Sage Sri, Sankara 1400 years back and thought only to those of higher intellect. Thus karma and Upasana, yoga, and orthodoxy have to be bifurcated in order to realize the ultimate truth. Or Brahman.
Advaitic Wisdom is for those who are capable of inquiring into their own existence to know and realize the ultimate truth or Brahman. –Santthosh Kumaar
