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Nonduality is the nature of reality according to teachings (generally originating in Asia) such as Advaita, Buddhism and Dzogchen, and probably Taoism as well. Western philosophy includes an (unrelated) intellectual tradition of nondualism, known more commonly as monism.While attitudes towards the experience of duality and self may vary, nondual traditions converge on the view that experience does not imply an "I".
1 In Buddhism
In the Buddhist canon, the Diamond Sutra presents an accessible nondual view of "self" and "beings", while the Heart Sutra asserts shunyata — the "emptiness" of all "things". The fullest philosophical exposition is the Madhyamaka; by contrast many laconic pronouncements are delivered as koans. Advanced views and practices are found in the Mahamudra and Maha Ati, which emphasize the vividness and spaciousness of nondual awareness.
"Not Two and Not One"
Mahayana Buddhism, in particular, tempers the view of nonduality (wisdom) with respect for the experience of duality (compassion) — ordinary dualistic experience, populated with selves and others (sentient beings), is tended with care, always "now". This approach is itself regarded as a means to disperse the confusions of duality (i.e. as a path). In Theravada, that respect is expressed cautiously as non-harming, while in the Vajrayana, it is expressed boldly as enjoyment (especially in tantra).
2 In Dzogchen
Dzogchen is a relatively esoteric (to date) tradition concerned with the "natural state", and emphasizing direct experience. It is independent, yet closely allied with the Buddhism of Tibet, particularly the NyingmaNyingma The Old Translation School Although the name Nyingma or "Old School" is a retrospective label, the Nyingma historians recognize the Indian mystic Padmasambhava who came to Tibet in the 9th century as the School's real founder. Central to the Nying lineage and the Maha Ati teachings. In Dzogchen, the primordial state, the state of nondual awareness, is called rigpaRigpa is the primordial, nondual awareness advocated by the Dzogchen teachings..
3 In Advaita
Advaita (Sanskrit a, not; dvaita, two) is a nondual tradition with Advaita VedantaAdvaita Vedanta is probably the best known of all Vedanta schools of Hinduism, the others being Dvaita and Vishishtadvaita''. Advaita literally means "not two", and is often called a monistic or non-dualistic system which essentially refers to the indivis as its philosophical arm. Probably the best known advaitist of modern times is Ramana MaharshiRamana Maharshi (1879-1950) was a great Hindu mystic of the Advaita Vedanta stream. Born in a village called Tirucculi near Madurai in southern India, he was given the name Venkataraman. His father died when he was twelve, and he went to live with his unc, according to whom the jnani (one who has realised the Self) sees no individual ego, and does not regard himself (or anyone else) as a "doer" of actions. The state of nondual awareness is called jnanaJnana is the Sanskrit term for knowledge. See also Nonduality Advaita Vedanta..
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