The Advaitic Experience in Christianity and Hinduism

Relationality between Jesus the Son and God the Father serves as a model for the divine-human relationship. Understanding this relationality is explored by comparing the Hindu Advaitic tradition, particularly Sri Ramakrishna's mystical experience, with Catholic theologian Jacques Dupuis's concept of awareness. Advaitic perspectives illuminate the relationality of God and humanity when read alongside Dupuis's awareness. The study examines how these two different traditions approach the issue, with Advaita questioning non-duality and Dupuis delving into awareness, ultimately using Advaitic insights to comprehend the relationality through Dupuis's framework.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Relationality between Jesus the Son and God the Father becomes a perfect model of God and humanity. But, how do we understand the meaning of this relationality? Why in Hinduism, especially, in Advaitic tradition, this relationality issue becomes an essential element to realize the one God? Can we do a pilgrimage of our faith by comparing Christian and Hindu traditions? This study will examine on mystical approach of Sri Ramakrishna’s experience as a Hindu and the discernment of Jacques Dupuis’ on awareness as a Catholic. The notion of relationality would be exposed within those two different traditions, each with different perspectives. One will question Advaita and the other will delve into awareness. In the end, advaitic perspectives will help us to comprehend the relationality of God and humanity through our readings of understanding Dupuis’ awareness.