A Proposal to Reconcile Vedanta and Buddhism

I will be attempting to reconcile the philosophical systems of Mahayana Buddhism and Vedanta, probably in its Advaita philosophic tradition. These two schools of thoughts have a noted reputation of being completely at odds with each other, what with Vedanta stressing the existence of an eternal, pure Self within all living creatures that is identical to Brahman, or the Universal Self, and Buddhism emphasizing that there is no such thing as a persisting self, that there are only constantly changing existences that interact with each other (interdependent arising). Also, where Vedanta declares that human suffering is the end result of the false identification of the pure self with the ego, mind, and body - collectively referred to as the lower self, -- Buddhism declares that suffering arises from the interdependent arising, when one tries to forge a separate, eternal existence from the changing existences. At odds with Vedanta indeed.

However, if these two views were viewed in a larger, perspectival context, then perhaps they can be reconciled. Analogously speaking, if Vedanta and Buddhism were to be placed on a huge mountain, the Vedantic school of thought could be placed on a crag on one side of the mountain, and Buddhism on a smooth, winding path near the base of the mountain's opposite side. In essence, the crowning achievement of the Vedantic and Buddhist paths could ultimately be seen as one in the same, though apparently different. This essay will expound upon this argument, drawing upon the similarities between the two traditions while arguing, ad absurdum, their differences.

I'm looking for opinions on my endeavor. Please feel free to leave a comment or drop me a line.