THE Doctrine of Maya - HolyBooks.com

OBJECTIONS WITHIN THE VEDANTA 137purely idealistic sense, and the moment any suchcategory is introduced the Absolute (Brahman) isconceived as Phenomenal (mayopahita).After a careful criticism of the atomic theory ofthe Vaisesikas Sankara proceeds to discuss thedoctrine of the Buddhists (ii. 2. 18-32). Thatdoctrine, as he observes, ispresented in a variety offorms, due either to the difference of the views maintainedby Buddha at different times, or else to thedifference of capacity on the part of the disciples ofBuddha. Three principal opinions may, however,be distinguished(1) Realists, who maintain the reality of everything Sarvdstitvavdda (Sautrdntikas andVaibhdsikas).(2) Idealists, who maintain the reality of thoughtonly vijndnavddins ( Yogdcdras] .(3) Nihilists, who maintain that everythingissunya (void, unreal) Sunyavddins (Madhyamikas).The criticism of each of these is set forth with greatperspicacity in Sankara, and it is needless for us togo over the same ground again. All this bears onour subject only indirectly.All the chief objections to Maya rest upon a misconception, viz., to take it as a reality. Even thecriticism of Thibaut in his introduction to the Vedantasutras(S.B.E., vol. xxxiv.) rests upon the same sortof misconception. It is exceedingly difficult to freeone s mind from a theistic bias when approaching