Mulavidya, also known as Moola Avidya, holds a central position in the philosophical discourse of Advaita Vedanta, particularly concerning the nature of ignorance and its role in the creation and perception of the world. Here's an expansion on the concepts you've mentioned:
Mulavidya/Moola Avidya: This term refers to universal
or primeval ignorance or nescience. It represents the fundamental ignorance
that underlies all phenomena and serves as the root cause of the cycle of
birth, death, and rebirth (samsara) according to Advaita Vedanta philosophy.
Mulavidya is seen as the primary obstacle to realizing one's true nature, which
is identified with Brahman, the ultimate reality.
Types of Avidya: Within Advaita Vedanta, avidya or
ignorance is often categorized into two types:
- Mulavidya: This is the universal ignorance that permeates all of existence. It is not limited to individual beings but rather represents the ignorance inherent in the entire manifested universe.
- Tulavidya: This refers to individual ignorance or the ignorance that pertains to specific beings. It is the ignorance that covers the true nature of consciousness when it becomes associated with particular objects or identities, such as the body or ego.
Role in Creation: Mulavidya is considered the
material cause of the world in Advaita Vedanta. It is the ignorance that veils
the true nature of Brahman, leading to the manifestation of the empirical
reality (vyavaharika satta). According to this perspective, the world is not
seen as a separate creation but rather as an appearance due to the veiling
power of avidya.
Locating Mulavidya: A debated point within Advaita
Vedanta is the question of where Mulavidya resides. There are differing views:
- Vivarana School: This school holds that Mulavidya is located in Brahman itself. In this view, Brahman is said to be "covered" by ignorance, leading to the manifestation of the world.
- Bhamati School: On the other hand, the Bhamati school asserts that Mulavidya resides in the individual jiva (soul). According to this perspective, it is the individual's ignorance that leads to the perception of duality and the world of multiplicity.
In summary, Mulavidya or Moola Avidya represents the foundational ignorance that obscures the true nature of reality according to Advaita Vedanta. It plays a crucial role in the philosophy's understanding of creation, perception, and liberation. The debate about its location sheds light on different interpretations within the Advaita Vedanta tradition.