Buddhist influences on Advaita Vedanta

Samkhya	Kapila;
Yoga	Patanjali;
Vaisheshika	Kaṇāda, Prashastapada;
Secular	Valluvar;

Advaita Vedanta and Mahayana Buddhism share significant similarities. Those similarities have attracted Indian and Western scholars attention,^[1] and have also been criticised by concurring schools. The similarities have been interpreted as Buddhist influences on Advaita Vedanta, though some deny such influences, or see them as expressions of the same eternal truth.^[2]

Advaita Vedanta (IAST, Advaita Vedānta; Sanskrit: अद्वैत वेदान्त; literally, not-two) is the oldest extant sub-school of Vedanta – an orthodox (āstika) school of Hindu philosophy and religious practice. Advaita darśana (philosophy, world view, teaching) is one of the classic Indian paths to spiritual realization.^[3]^[4] It took shape with the writings of Gaudapada in the 6th century CE.

Buddhism is a religion^[5] and dharma that encompasses a variety of traditions, beliefs and spiritual practices based on teachings attributed to the Buddha (5th century BCE), but diversified since then in a wide variety of practices and traditions. Buddhism originated in India, from where it spread through much of Asia. It declined in India during the middle ages, after the rise of new forms of Hinduism, including Advaita Vedanta.

^ Biderman 1978, pp. 405–413.
^ N.V. Isaeva (1993), Shankara and Indian Philosophy, SUNY Press, pages 12-14
^ Sharma 2007, p. 6.
^ Deutsch 1988, p. 4.
^ Lopez 2001, p. 239.

[FOOTNOTEBiderman1978405–413-1] Biderman 1978, pp. 405–413.

[2] N.V. Isaeva (1993), Shankara and Indian Philosophy, SUNY Press, pages 12-14

[FOOTNOTESharma20076-3] Sharma 2007, p. 6.

[FOOTNOTEDeutsch19884-4] Deutsch 1988, p. 4.

[FOOTNOTELopez2001239-5] Lopez 2001, p. 239.

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