Understanding the Term 'Crypto-Buddhist'

The term 'Crypto-Buddhist' is a label used by critics to describe philosophers whose ideas they felt were secretly or disguisedly aligned with Buddhism, even if the philosophers themselves claimed to be followers of Vedic traditions. In the context of ancient Indian philosophy, this term was often used during periods of intense debate and interaction between different schools of thought, particularly between proponents of Vedic/Hindu philosophies and Buddhist schools.

Why Adi Shankaracharya was Called 'Crypto-Buddhist'

Adi Shankaracharya, a major philosopher who consolidated the Advaita Vedanta school of Hinduism, is famously referred to as 'Crypto-Buddhist' (Pracchanna Bauddha) by his critics. This accusation arose primarily due to the perceived similarities between certain aspects of his Advaita philosophy and Mahayana Buddhism, particularly the Madhyamaka school (often associated with Nagarjuna).

Critics argued that Shankaracharya's concept of Maya (the illusion of the world's reality) and his emphasis on the ultimate reality being a non-dual, attributeless Brahman, which is beyond description, bore a strong resemblance to the Buddhist concept of Sunyata (emptiness) and the rejection of conventional reality as ultimately true. Both philosophies highlight the ephemeral nature of the empirical world and emphasize a transcendent truth that is difficult to conceptualize or describe in conventional terms.

While Shankaracharya himself was a strong proponent of the Vedas and aimed to revive Vedic thought in India, countering the influence of Buddhism and Jainism, his critics from other Hindu schools (like Vishishtadvaita or Dvaita Vedanta) used the 'Crypto-Buddhist' label to discredit his Advaita philosophy by associating it with Buddhism, which many orthodox Brahmins viewed as heterodox (outside the Vedic tradition).

Comparing Advaita Vedanta and Mahayana Buddhism (Similarities and Differences leading to the label)

Here's a brief comparison of aspects that led to the 'Crypto-Buddhist' accusation:

• Emphasis on Knowledge: Both traditions place a high value on knowledge (Jnana in Advaita, Prajna in Buddhism) as the means to liberation.
• Critique of Empirical Reality: Both argue that the world as we perceive it is not ultimately real. Advaita uses the concept of Maya, while Mahayana uses concepts like Sunyata and the doctrine of two truths (conventional and ultimate).
• Nature of Ultimate Reality: This is where the key difference lies. Advaita posits Brahman as the ultimate, non-dual, eternal reality. Mahayana posits Sunyata, which is often described not as nothingness but as the absence of inherent existence (svabhava) in all phenomena. Critics argued that Shankaracharya's attributeless Brahman was functionally similar to Sunyata.
• Concept of Self: Advaita posits the Atman (individual self) as identical with Brahman. Mahayana Buddhism, particularly the doctrine of Anatta (no-self), rejects the idea of a permanent, independent self or soul. Despite this fundamental difference, critics focused on the shared negation of conventional reality and the emphasis on transcendence.

Significance of the Debate

The debate around Shankaracharya being a 'Crypto-Buddhist' highlights the philosophical cross-pollination and intense intellectual rivalry that existed in ancient India. While there were similarities that stemmed from common cultural and philosophical backgrounds, significant differences remained. The label was primarily a rhetorical tool used by opponents to undermine the credibility of Advaita Vedanta among those who considered Buddhism outside the acceptable Vedic fold.

Therefore, among the given options, Shamkara (Adi Shankaracharya) is the philosopher who was called 'Crypto-Buddhist'.

Revision Table: Key Philosophers and Schools

Additional Information: Advaita Vedanta vs. Other Schools

Advaita Vedanta, propagated by Shankaracharya, is one of the major sub-schools of the Vedanta school of Hindu philosophy. It is a non-dualistic school. Other prominent schools of Vedanta include:

• Vishishtadvaita (Qualified Non-dualism): Founded by Ramanuja. It posits that Brahman is the ultimate reality, but it is qualified by attributes (like souls and matter), which are real parts of Brahman, not illusory.
• Dvaita (Dualism): Founded by Madhvacharya. It posits a fundamental and eternal distinction between God (Vishnu/Brahman), individual souls (Jivas), and matter (Prakriti).
• Dvaitadvaita (Dualistic Non-dualism): Founded by Nimbarka. It accepts both difference and non-difference between Jiva and Brahman.
• Shuddhadvaita (Pure Non-dualism): Founded by Vallabha. Focuses on devotion (Bhakti) to Krishna and sees the world as a real manifestation of Brahman.

The philosophical debates among these schools, as well as with Buddhist and Jain philosophies, were crucial in shaping the landscape of Indian thought. The 'Crypto-Buddhist' label is a historical reflection of these dynamic interactions.