The Upanishads Queens University奥义书女王大学.pptVIP

The Upanishads Isa Upanishad Upa (near) + ni (below) + shad (sit) These are the recorded notes of students sitting “below” or “near” an illumined sage. Knowledge cannot be transmitted through books. It is transmitted by example, by experience and by life. The principal Upanishads Isa Kena Katha Prasna Mundaka Mandukya Taittiriya Aitareya Chandogya Brhadaranyaka Svetasvatara Kausitaki Mahanarayana Maitri Mundaka Upanishad (1.1.3) What is that by knowing which everything is known? The core message of the Upanishads is that there is an ultimate Reality or Universal Awareness that they label as Brahman. This word is derived from brih which means that which is vast and expansive. Tat tvam asi = You are That At a fundamental level, we are That which is vast and expansive. To indicate that dimension of the ultimate Reality at the individual level, the Upanishads use the term atman. The English word “atmosphere” is derived from the Greek atmos, which means vapor or air. The Greek word is derived from the Sanskrit word atman. atman In many early translations, this word was translated as “soul” which is inaccurate. A more accurate English rendering is “Self” to indicate background awareness bereft of any idea, thought or feeling. One should definitely not confuse this with the ego. Isa Upanishad This Upanishad consists of 18 verses and is one of the smaller ones. We will study it in its entirety. Isa vasyam idam sarvam yat kinca jagatyam jagat Tena tyaktena bhunjitha ma grdhah kasya svid dhanam. Isa can be translated as “cosmic intelligence” or “cosmic ruling force” isa and asti These two words are related. The English word “is” can be traced back as follows: ist (German) est (French) esti (Latin) asti (Sanskrit) The meaning of the first verse The ruling force dwells in everything. In every bit of it, Even in anything that is changing and moving. By that renunciation, enjoy. Do not covet the wealth of anyone. Spectrum of light The prism is space, time and causa