Beyond Duality : Exploring “Nothingness” in the Advaita Vedānta and the Madhyamaka Traditions of Indian Buddhism

Vaishnav, Pankaj (author)

This article explores the concept of “nothingness” in the Advaita Vedānta and Madhyamaka traditions of Indian Buddhism, analysing their convergences, divergences, and broader implications within Indian philosophical traditions. Both systems emphasize the transcendence of duality and the limitations of ordinary perception in realizing ultimate truth. For Advaita Vedānta, Brahman—the singular, eternal essence—is the sole reality, with the phenomenal world regarded as an illusion (māyā). Liberation arises through self-realization, where one recognizes the unity of self (atman) and Brahman. Conversely, Madhyamaka Buddhism denies the existence of any inherent essence, positing emptiness (Śūnyatā) as the nature of all phenomena. Liberation in this framework involves the cessation of clinging and the realization of interdependence. The article contextualizes these philosophies within their socio-cultural milieus, revealing how their metaphysical claims respond to existential and ethical concerns. While Advaita seeks to unify diversity through non-dualism, Madhyamaka challenges rigid constructs, emphasizing relational existence. Comparative analysis highlights shared principles, such as the critique of ego-based delusion and the transformative power of wisdom, alongside distinct soteriological paths rooted in their metaphysical differences. By engaging with these traditions, the article not only underscores their philosophical richness, but also explores their relevance to contemporary issues, including existential anxiety and ethical dilemmas.

• Language: English
• Keywords: Advaita Vedānta, Madhyamaka Buddhism, emptiness, Indian philosophy, non-duality, nothingness, Śūnyatā
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: FF - Faculty of Arts
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Publication date: 01.09.2025
• Number of pages: Str. 213-243
• Numbering: Vol. 13, no. 3
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-178291
• ISSN: 2232-5131
• eISSN: 2350-4226
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4312/as.2025.13.3.213-243
• Publication date in RUL: 22.01.2026

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Asian studies
• Publisher: Znanstvena založba Filozofske fakultete, Znanstvena založba Filozofske fakultete, Založba Univerze v Ljubljani
• ISSN: 2232-5131
• COBISS.SI-ID: 265206272

Licences

• License: CC BY-SA 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
• Description: This Creative Commons license is very similar to the regular Attribution license, but requires the release of all derivative works under this same license.

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Title: Onkraj dualnosti : raziskovanje »niča« v tradicijah advaita vedānte in madhjam-ake indijskega budizma

Abstract

Članek raziskuje pojem »niča« v tradicijah advaita vedānte in madhjamake indijskega budizma ter analizira njune stične točke, razlike in širše implikacije znotraj indijskih filozofskih tradicij. Obe miselni usmeritvi poudarjata preseganje dualnosti in omejitev običajnega zaznavanja v procesih spoznavanja najvišje resnice. Za advaita vedānto je Brahman – enotna, večna esenca – edina resničnost, medtem ko je pojavni svet dojet kot iluzija (māyā). Osvoboditev nastopi s samospoznanjem, ko posameznik prepozna enotnost jaza (ātman) in Brahmana. Nasprotno pa budizem madhjamaka zanika obstoj kakršnekoli lastne esence in razume praznino (śūnyatā) kot naravo vseh pojavov. Osvo-boditev v tem okviru pomeni prenehanje navezanosti in spoznanje soodvisnosti. Članek umešča ti filozofiji v njuna družbeno-kulturna konteksta ter razkriva, na kakšen način se njune metafizične predpostavke povezujejo z vprašanji bivanja in etike. Medtem ko ad-vaita stremi k poenotenju razlik prek nedualizma, madhjamaka izziva toge miselne kon-strukte in poudarja relacijsko naravo bivanja. Primerjalna analiza osvetljuje njuna skupna izhodišča, kot sta kritika ega in preobrazbena moč modrosti, hkrati pa izpostavlja tudi različnosti njunih poti do osvoboditve, ki izhajajo iz njunih metafizičnih razlik. Članek s tem poudarja filozofske globine obeh tradicij, obenem pa tudi njuno aktualnost glede sodobnih vprašanj, kot so tesnoba bivanja in etične dileme.

• Keywords: advaita vedānta, budizem madhjamaka, praznina, indijska filozofija, nedualnost, nič, śūnyatā