From Limited Mind and Body to Our True (No) Self

Abstract: In the Abrahamic faiths, we often observe a clash between two foundational teachings: Gnosticism and Christianity/Catholicism. Gnosticism, with its emphasis on higher knowledge or "Gnosis", can be seen as controversial when compared to the other two teachings. Many Gnostic beliefs are considerably more liberal and diverge from traditional Abrahamic doctrines. This divergence can present both positive and negative implications.  However, a clear distinction exists between the central concepts of Gnosticism and those of other Abrahamic teachings. Gnosticism centers around the notion of a higher being known as the "Demiurge", whereas Christianity and Catholicism trace their roots to the forefather termed the "Supreme Creator" or "True God". Various religious narratives and mythologies have emerged surrounding these concepts; for practitioners and bodhisattvas, they represent authentic stories, milestones, and revelations along their evolut...

Abstract: The general belief is that there is no space for Intellectuals, Philosophers or Radicals to express themselves, their revolutionary ideas in a religious arena. However certain religious traditions welcome such people. i.e. Buddhism has produced such extraordinary philosophers in the past. And they represent themselves as free thinkers within this tradition. The freedom and the depth they held attracted both wise as well as enemies. Even today, Hinayana Buddhists do not accept the teachings of great philosophers such as Nagarjuna, Vasubandhu and Asanga. This story is about the greatest non-dualist who ever appeared on the earth, Nagarjunapada.     Fig. 1: Nagarjuna and Aryadeva Working on Madhyamaka Philosophy Studies Mahayanists (and the practitioners of this lineage) consider Nagarjunapada as the second Buddha whose wisdom and intellect is more or less comparable to Gautham Buddha's. In my opinion, Gautham Buddha cannot be understood without studying all...