Classical Indian Philosophy by J. N. Mohanty

Author:J. N. Mohanty
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780742573772
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Published: 2013-06-24T16:00:00+00:00

Nondifference (Tādātmya)

This is the fundamental relation according to Advaita Vedānta. But nondifference is the absence of difference. How can an absence function as a relation? To show that it may function as a relation, consider the sentence “A blue lotus is blooming.” In this case, a unified meaning is possible only if “blue” and “lotus” are understood to be nondifferent. In verbalization of an apprehension, a relation is not mentioned but only understood. The nondifference is to be posited. This nondifference is posited by semantic expectation (ākāṇksā), according to the Naiyāyikas. The Prābhākara Mīmāṃsākas on the other hand hold that a word always presents a related entity, so that the words “blue lotus” by themselves can present a relational structure. But they have no good account of which relation is it that they signify.

All relations presuppose difference among the relata. How can then nondifference be a relation? To this the Vedāntins reply that owing to difference of the words “blue” and “lotus,” one posits difference in their designata, and then asserts their nondifference on the ground that otherwise they could not designate a unified meaning.

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