Gaudapada: Advaita Vedanta's First Philosopher

by Richard H. Jones

The Gaudapada-karikas is the earliest extant Advaita Vedanta text. It is only explicitly Advaita text deemed worth saving from before Shankara's time. Its philosophical doctrines makes it worthy of study in its own right and sets the stage for Shankara's slightly different Advaita.The text is presented here in a plain English translation with notes. Also included are an essay on early Vedanta, who the author(s) of this text may be, and the influence of Buddhism on the text (especially Nagarjuna's Madhyamaka tradition); an account of the basic doctrines; and a philosophical critique of those doctrines.This books makes the claim intelligible that all is consciousness, one, and unchanging and thereby removes much of the shock of Gaudapada's Advaita Vedanta. But it also raises problems with the plausibility of the claim.

90 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 8, 2014

Reviews

[Vivek Ranjan · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Gaudapada" by Richard H. Jones is a scholarly exploration of the life and teachings of Gaudapada, a seventh-century Indian philosopher and author of the Mandukya Karika. This book provides an in-depth analysis of Gaudapada's philosophy and his influence on the Advaita Vedanta school of Hindu philosophy.

The book is divided into two parts. The first part of the book provides a biographical overview of Gaudapada's life, including his education, philosophical influences, and his work on the Mandukya Karika. The second part of the book delves into the teachings of Gaudapada and his interpretation of the Mandukya Upanishad.

Jones provides a detailed analysis of Gaudapada's philosophy, which focuses on the nature of ultimate reality, the self, and the relationship between the two. Jones also explores Gaudapada's unique approach to Advaita Vedanta, which emphasizes the importance of the "fourth state" of consciousness, known as turiya.

One of the strengths of this book is its scholarly rigor. Jones draws on a wide range of primary and secondary sources, including the Mandukya Karika, Upanishads, and commentaries by other Advaita Vedanta philosophers. He presents his analysis of Gaudapada's philosophy in a clear and concise manner, making it accessible to readers with some background knowledge of Hindu philosophy.

However, due to its scholarly focus, the book may not be suitable for readers with little to no background knowledge of Advaita Vedanta or Hindu philosophy. Additionally, some readers may find the content to be dense and challenging to understand without prior knowledge of the subject matter.

"Gaudapada" by Richard H. Jones is a comprehensive exploration of the philosophy and teachings of Gaudapada, a significant figure in the Advaita Vedanta school of Hindu philosophy. Jones' scholarly analysis provides a valuable resource for readers with an interest in Indian philosophy, particularly those interested in Advaita Vedanta.