Maya — Indian Philosophy

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What each school says

Advaita Vedanta

In the school of Advaita, maya is related to atman, with some texts suggesting that atman is the cause of maya (cite: edge_019163). Atman is also described as being qualified as an aspect of maya, with maya being associated with "evanescent things" (cite: edge_019180). Additionally, some texts indicate that atman is distinct from maya, with the self being described as awakening into its "own real, non-dual nature" (cite: edge_020888). The relationship between atman and maya is complex, with maya being seen as a means by which the self experiences the world (cite: edge_020508).

Dvaita Vedanta

In the school of Dvaita, maya is considered an indicatory of coming good or evil (cite: edge_007515). Maya is also associated with the concept of dream, as the creations of a dream are mentioned alongside maya (cite: edge_007187). Additionally, maya is distinct from the atman, or self, with Vishnu being described as having attributes that are distinct from maya (cite: edge_006922). The Dvaita school also suggests that maya is a qualified aspect of brahma sutras, as indicated by the mention of maya in the brahma sutras (cite: edge_007514).

Vishishtadvaita

In the school of Vishishtadvaita, maya is closely related to brahman, with brahman being qualified as an aspect of maya (cite: edge_005788). Maya is also connected to atman, with atman being qualified as an aspect of maya (cite: edge_002201). However, atman is also distinct from maya (cite: edge_006381). The relationship between brahman and maya is further emphasized, with brahman being described as having a qualified aspect of maya (cite: edge_001055).

Achintya Bhedabheda

In the achintya_bhedabheda school of philosophy, maya is said to be caused by Krsna (cite: edge_003870). Maya is also described as being manifested in the duality of desire and hate (cite: edge_003454). Additionally, the atman, or individual self, is qualified as an aspect of maya, being influenced by its occupations and delusions (cite: edge_002916). The school also suggests that maya is related to other concepts such as karma, which is contaminated by the material modes of nature (cite: edge_004469).

Dvaitadvaita

According to the dvaitadvaita school of philosophy, the concept of maya is related to the atman, or soul, in complex ways. The atman is sometimes seen as distinct from maya (cite: edge_011335), but also as being qualified by or an aspect of maya (cite: edge_002163). Additionally, the atman is considered to be the cause of maya in some cases (cite: edge_002982), while maya is also seen as influencing the atman (cite: edge_002164). Dharma, or duty, is also considered a qualified aspect of maya (cite: edge_002524).

Buddhism (Pali Canon)

In Buddhist philosophy, maya is considered to be deceptive (cite: edge_010216) and is identical to ignorance (cite: edge_010101). It is also seen as a part of delusion (cite: edge_009202) and can be described as veiling people, like a shroud of ignorance (cite: edge_010114). Maya obstructs freedom, making it difficult for people to become disillusioned and freed from it (cite: edge_008220). Additionally, maya is characterized as breaking apart and deceptive (cite: edge_010217).

Where schools disagree

atman ↔ maya

Achintya Bhedabheda asserts IS_QUALIFIED_ASPECT_OF (edge_002916): "occupations dictated by illusory energy"

Advaita Vedanta asserts IS_QUALIFIED_ASPECT_OF (edge_020921): "all creatures discard their natural oneness with Brahman to accept through ignorance the m..."

Dvaita Vedanta asserts IS_CAUSE_OF (edge_000248): "whose very nature is desire"

Vishishtadvaita asserts IS_DISTINCT_FROM (edge_006381): "the ether as distinguished by eight different attributes"

karma ↔ maya

Achintya Bhedabheda asserts IS_QUALIFIED_ASPECT_OF (edge_004469): "all work is contaminated by the material modes of nature"

Advaita Vedanta asserts IS_CAUSE_OF (edge_021032): "acts on account of the derangement of his brain"

Dvaita Vedanta asserts IS_CAUSE_OF (edge_000256): "There is nothing else"

maya ↔ world

Advaita Vedanta asserts IS_QUALIFIED_ASPECT_OF (edge_019883): "the world is a superimposition through ignorance"

Dvaita Vedanta asserts IS_DISTINCT_FROM (edge_007186): "the world is not non-existent, as those of dream, ete, are"

ignorance ↔ maya

Advaita Vedanta asserts IS_QUALIFIED_ASPECT_OF (edge_020887): "Sleep is the beginningless Maya characterised by ignorance"

Buddhism (Pali Canon) asserts IS_IDENTICAL_TO (edge_010114): "the shroud of ignorance"