AMU Professor delivers a lecture on the philosophy of darkness

ALIGARH : Prof S.H. Acharya, Department of Sanskrit, Aligarh Muslim University delivered a lecture at the National Buddhist Conference organized by the Kavikulaguru Kalidas Sanskrit University, Ramtek, Nagpur, in collaboration with the Indian Society for Buddhist Studies, Gandhi Nagar, Jammu.

In his lecture, Prof Acharya highlighted the concept of Darkness with regard to its ontological status and nature. He said that the controversy with regard to the ontological status of Darkness is as old as Kanada, the propounder of Vaisesika system of Indian Philosophy. His exposition prompted the latter scholars of all other systems of Indian philosophy to argue for and against his view.

He stated that the scholars of few systems of Indian philosophy believe that Darkness is a positive entity whereas others view it as a negative entity. Buddhists consider darkness a positive entity and not mere absence of light. The works of traditional Buddhist scholars like Durveka Mishra, Vasubandhu, Shantaraksita, Komalasila, Vimalamitra, Prabhachandracharya and Nagarjuna support this theory.