A Comparative Study of the Concepts of Ātman and Brahman in the Upaniṣad

Abstract

This academic article aims: 1) to study the meanings and concepts of Ātman and Brahman in the Upanisad and 2) to study the comparison of the concepts of Ātman and Brahman in the Upanisad. The finding’s result found that there were many concepts of Ātman and Brahman in the Upanisad, and there were several authors writing in different time respectively without obvious timeline given, but it contained the same goal was to teach the Ātman and Brahman principles in order to find the most sublime truth that can lead to Nirvāna or Mokṣa. In similar terms, Ātman and Brahman are the same, they are the same absolute, the same ultimate truth or the same ultimate reality, Ātman is a part of Brahman. By the way they both are the same. In the different term, Ātman is the spirit, or mind in term of Thai language is called ‘Jai’ is the part that controls a body and its organs, it is not unknown to be born, to pass away, and it is not free. It exists in all creatures which can breathe in and out (Prāṇa). It is unable to perform Karma alone, it must rely on Pramātman to do action, when people die, Ātman completely leaves his/her body to continue his/her Jāti because he/she doesn’t enlighten about the truth. As for Brahman empowers to bring this world to alls. Everything runs and ruins in both nature and nature creator. It is the highest reality as God all creatures and everything that exist in this world. Meanwhile, it is something that over the universe which cannot be described about figures, characteristics, and its location. In the end, all everything will dissolve into Brahman.