Presuppositions in Gnostic Philosophy

The primary goal of this study is to compare and contrast the Indian philosopher Sankara (788-830 CE), and the Muslim mystic, Ibn Arabi (1165-1240 CE). To be more specific, this project is an examination focused on the non-dual mystical philosophies composed by Sankara and Ibn Arabi. The mystical systems constructed by Sankara and Ibn Arabi are often viewed as being representative of the non-dual mysticism found within their respective traditions. A number of studies have compared Sankara and Ibn Arabi and some projects have focused on the commonalities between these non-dual systems. Furthermore, the striking differences between aspects of Hinduism and Islam have garnered even more interest in the two mystics, who some have claimed have analogous systems of thought. This study will be exploring the systems of these influential thinkers to ascertain if this is true. The claim that a Hindu sramana (wandering ascetic) and an Islamic mystic composed markedly similar systems of thought warrants scholarly attention. Comparing Sankara and Ibn Arabi also affords us the opportunity to make observations on religious mysticism and how certain esoteric systems of thought function within their surrounding religious environments. A comparison of Sankara and Ibn Arabi's systems allows for useful insights into each thinker's philosophy and may also provide a better understanding of mysticism in general, as well as methodological issues faced in the scholarly study of spiritual, religious, or mystical experience