Maya Radhakrishnan's Thought Six Meanings Other Than Illusion

Is the world an illusion? Is ethical action in and for the world a necessary ingredient of spiritual perfection? Or do the Upanisads require an absolute idealism, which allows one to ignore the urgency of improving conditions in the materially real world? Is there ultimate value in becoming one with the world as well as with Brahman? These are some of the issues raised.

The book examines a central concept in the main philosophical tradition of India. All of President Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan's published works constitute the primary sources. ?every occurrence of the word maya is analyzed. The thesis advanced is that as a Hindu modernist he rejects the illusional meaning of maya and accepts six other meanings.

This exposition of Radhakrishnan's maya hermeneutics includes a broader explanation of his over-all thought. The book extracts and evaluates key concepts from the wide range of his philosophical writings. It also describes and assesses the central attitudes of conviction, symbols, and beliefs which constitute his religious faith.

Since Radhakrishnan (1888-1975) was such a persuasive proponent of Hindu faith and tradition, this book is also an exposition of some pivotal Hindu ideas. Consciousness, the whole, harmony, and tolerance are just a few. Unity is also discussed, particularly the alleged unity of religions. The book explores the relationship between Advaita Vedanta tradition and modernity.

About the Author

Donald A. Braue (b. 1940), a graduate of Northfield Mount Hermon School, Massachusetts, obtained his B. A. degree in Psychology at Oberlin Cololege, Ohio and master of Divinity degree in systematic Theology fro Union Theological Seminary of Columbia University, New York. He studied History of Religions at Claremont Graduate School in California where he was awarded the degree of Ph. D.

An ordained Christian minister of the United Methodist Church, Braue served parishes in Wilkes-Barre and Forest City, Pennsylvania.

For nine years Dr. Braue has been teaching world religions at Wagner College in New York, Trinity College in Hartford, California State University in Chico, and Texas Christian University in Fort Worth. While at TCU he also taught at Brite Divinity School.

Other publication include articles in Union Seminary Quarterly Review and Encounter. Dr. Braue received two faculty grants at TCU for collecting and cataloguing slides of Asian art and for developing a course in Islam. Listed in Who's Who in religion, he works with mass media as a consultant for world religions. He was one of the last western scholars to meet with Dr. Radhakrishnan at Girija in Madras