Webinar discusses Srimanta Sankaradeva and Spinoza philosophy

GUWAHATI: As part of the international webinar series on different facets of Sankaradeva studies, organized by the Society for Srimanta Sankaradeva, the eighth webinar was held on Sunday in association with the Delphic Council of North East India.

According to a press release, Dr Ananya Barua, Assistant Professor of Philosophy in Hindu College, University of Delhi was the resource person of the webinar. She delivered a lecture on 'Sankaradeva and Spinoza: A philosophical comparison'. The webinar was moderated by Dr Sanjib Kumar Borkakoti, author and scholar of Sankari culture.

Dr Ananya Barua made an attempt to draw a conceptual comparison philosophically between the mystical quest of Srimanta Sankaradeva and the rational quest of Spinoza. She explored the East-West dichotomy, and how to bridge the dichotomies in a harmonious way. She also discussed the methodology of dialogical hermeneutics.

Dr Barua further attempted to understand the role of God without religion, and the other, who is deeply soaked in spirituality of Bhakti tradition. She referred to the question whether one could be both a genuine Adavitin and an authentic Bhakta. The creative dialogues between the two, and the triumph of Bhakti over Jnana was some of the interesting aspects of her presentation. She stressed that Spinoza's philosophy was a continuation of Srimanta Sankaradeva's philosophy.

Several scholars and eminent persons including Prof Archana Barua, retired faculty of IIT Guwahati, Ashok Singh from Delphic Council of Jammu & Kashmir, and Swapnanil Barua, president of Delphic Council of North East India, attended the webinar. Prof Archana Barua took active part in the deliberations and said that the philosophy of the Bhagwat Gita was relevant in this discussion.

On his part, Dr Sanjib Kumar Borkakoti said that Srimanta Sanka-radeva was a pioneer in combining the paths of devotion and knowledge. The saint equated Brahma and Ishwara, which was an unprecedented phenomenon. Dr Borkakoti said that Spinoza proceeded in the same line of thought as he preached love for the Absolute Being. That Srimanta Sankaradeva was a guiding light for a philosopher like Spinoza was a notable feature, he said.

Also Read: Sankardeva gave unique dimensions to spiritual and cultural life of Assamese people: CM Himanta

 Also Watch: