The teaching ‘the reality is one and the same; the difference is in name and form’ is reflective of a central concept in Hinduism, known as "Advaita Vedanta," which translates to "non-dualistic end of the Vedas." Advaita Vedanta teaches that there is ultimately only one reality, often referred to as Brahman, which is formless, infinite, and beyond comprehension. This reality is considered the underlying essence of the universe, and all apparent distinctions and differences are seen as illusory.
The idea that differences are merely superficial, existing
only in name and form, is emphasized in Hindu scriptures such as the
Upanishads, particularly in texts like the Mandukya Upanishad and the Advaita
Vedanta philosophical system developed by Adi Shankaracharya. According to
Advaita Vedanta, the multiplicity and diversity we perceive in the world are
the result of Maya, or illusion, which veils the true nature of reality.
This teaching has profound implications for spiritual
practice and understanding, as it suggests that the ultimate goal of human life
is to realize one's true identity as Brahman and transcend the limitations of
the ego and the material world. Through practices such as meditation,
self-inquiry, and devotion, individuals seek to experience the unity of all
existence and awaken to their essential nature as pure consciousness.
Overall, the teaching that "the reality is one and the
same; the difference is in name and form" encapsulates the fundamental
principle of non-duality in Hindu thought, emphasizing the underlying unity of
all existence beyond the apparent diversity of the world.