Dispassion as a Common State of Mind for Liberation in Buddhism and Hinduism

Abstract

Dispassion (Vairāgya/Virāga) has been considered an essential notion in Hinduism and Buddhism for attaining a complete liberation from suffering. The main objective of the study, is to analyze how the practice of Vairāgya/Virāga leads one to liberation in Hindu and Buddhist philosophies. The method of study chosen for conducting the research is qualitative comparative analysis of religious texts including but not limited to the Bhagavad Gītā and Upaniṣads along with texts in Pāli Canon. The study investigates the concept, practice, and significance of Dispassion in each philosophy through thematic analysis. Both religions have been found agreeing with attachment or craving as a source of dukkha. However, there are significant differences in their ideas on the metaphysical aspect of non-attachment. In Hinduism, Vairāgya is a spiritual practicewhich leads to the realization of the Ātman and its relation to Brahman. In Buddhism, virāga arises through the realization of the three characteristics of existence: anicca, dukkha, and anattā. This realization leads to the renunciation of worldly attachments that hinder a Dhamma practitioner from attaining nirvāṇa. Consequently, in spite of being identical from the standpoint of morality, there exists an ontological gap between both religions concerning nonattachment. Thus, it may be said that non-attachment is both the common with distinguishing feature of the two religious beliefs. Such knowledge helps us better understand the doctrine of the East and highlight the significance of non-attachment as a remedy for modern psychological disorders.