Udayana's Hierarchy of Systems
(based on the Nyayakusumanjali, final
section)
After stating that one should follow the three steps (taught also in
Vedanta works) of hearing, thinking, and meditating, Udayana explains
that the final step involves meditating upon the self as distinct from
other objects, using techniques such as those taught in the
Yogasutras.
In this meditation, he explains, one passes through the following stages
on the way to final liberation:
- Mimamsa
- Materialism (Carvaka)
- Bhedabheda (Different-and-Nondifferent) Vedanta
- Vijnanavada (Idealist) Buddhism
- Vedanta in general
- Sunyavada (Madhyamaka) Buddhism
- Samkhya
- Sakta Tantrism
- Advaita Vedanta
- "Ultimate Vedanta" (= "Nyaya")
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