It is no use of trying to prove whether Buddha is right or Sri, Sankara is wrong***

It is no use of trying to prove whether Buddha is right or Sri, Sankara is wrong.  The only purpose of pursuit of truth is to know, how to realize the nondual truth, which is propounded by the Buddha and Sri, Sankara and Sri, Goudpada.  

Since, the  present practices are based on conduct and action, and they are based on the false physical self (ego) they will not lead the seeker to the  ultimate end,  because  the self is not the body . if the self is not the body then what is the use of indulging in physical based practices such as religion yoga and theoretical philosophy.   Seeker has to trace what are the fatter and obstacle which is blocking his realization.

Sri Sankara says that: scriptural knowledge and yoga are not the means to acquire self-knowledge.  Ramana Maharishi was realized the truth without any scriptures. Buddha rejected religion, scriptures and concept of god after he found them useless to acquire the truth after thoroughly verifying their validity.  And as one goes into deeper self- research he finds the fact that ultimate truth is nothing to do with Vedas.   The Upanishads confirms this.

Upanishad says:~

This Atman cannot be attained by the study of the Vedas, or by intelligence, or by much hearing of sacred books. It is attained by him alone whom It chooses. To such a one Ataman reveals Its own form. (Katha Upanishad Ch-II -23-P-20)

Mundaka Upanishad  :~

This Atman cannot be attained through study of the Vedas, nor through intelligence, nor through much learning. He who chooses Atman—by him alone is Atman attained. It is Atman that reveals to the seeker Its true nature. ( 3 –page-70 Mundaka Upanishad  Upanishads by Nikilanada)

When the Upanishads say:~

It is attained by him alone whom It chooses. To such a one Atman reveals its own form.  Then what is the use of indulging through our intelligence or our accumulated knowledge, when one is not chosen by the self, which is the soul, which is in the form of consciousness.

There is no need for any philosophy in pursuit of truth because they take the seeker nearer to truth, but they create more doubts and confusions.

 

In Astavakara Gita it clearly mentioned that Vedas are not the means to acquire the self-knowledge.

Sage Sri, Ramana Maharishi says:~ Q by D: Is not necessary to study the Vedas or at least the Prasthanatraya [the Bhagavad Gita,Dasopanishad and Brahma Sutras, all with commentaries]to ensure firm realization?

Bhagwan: No. Do you need all that to see yourself? All that is intellectual wealth, useful in explaining doubts and difficulties if others rise them or if you yourself encounter them in the course of thinking. But to attain realization, all that is not necessary. You want fresh water to drink, but you do not require all the water of the river Ganges to quench your thirst. (Page 111/112 of Practical guide to know yourself c/e by A.R.N).

Therefore all the personal research is for making sure which is the surest and easiest path to acquiring self-knowledge, when we are confused with uncertainty which path easier for to acquire nondual truth or self-knowledge.

Thus, it indicates that Advitic or the non-dualistic truth is nothing to do with the Vedas. If Advaitic or the non-dualistic  truth is nothing to do with Vedas it means it is nothing to do with the religion as well. If it is nothing to do with the religion it means, it is nothing to do with its idea of God. If it is nothing to do with the idea of God, it means  is nothing to do with orthodoxy. if it is nothing to do with orthodoxy, it means it is nothing to with karma and rituals.   That is why Buddha rejected religion, Vedas and idea of god.

That is why in Mundaka Upanishad says:~  The rituals and the sacrifices described in the Vedas deal with lower knowledge. The sages ignored these rituals and went in search of higher knowledge. ... Such rituals are unsafe rafts for crossing The sea of samsara, of birth and death. Doomed to shipwreck are those who try to cross The sea of samsara on these poor rafts. Ignorant of their own ignorance, yet wise In their own esteem, these deluded men Proud of their vain learning go round and round Like the blind led by the blind.

That is why Sri Sankara, indicated  in Bhaja Govindam says:~ [Jnana Viheena Sarva Mathena Bajathi na Muktim janma Shatena] - one without knowledge does not obtain liberation even in a hundred births, no matter which religious faith he follows.

Thus, it proves the religion is not the means to self-realization.

When Upanishad itself declares:~   sarvam khalvidam brahma - all this (universe) is verily Brahman. By following back all of the relative appearances in the world, we eventually return to that from which it is all manifest – the non-dual reality ( Chandogya Upanishad).  

Then it is no use going roundabout way, trace the Brahman which is the formless substance and witness of the universe, which is in the form of mind.  By tracing the source of the mind or universe one will be able to realize the Brahman. 

Thus, self-knowledge is meant only for those who have an intense urge, and courage to accept the truth with humility and reject the untruth. Since people start comparing with their scriptural knowledge, it becomes impossible to assimilate and realize the non-dual truth.   Therefore, there is no need to convince anyone other than our own-selves to get the firm conviction. 

The religion and yoga are based on the false self. The orthodoxy believes the experience of birth, life, death and the world as reality whereas Sri, Sankara declares the world is a myth. Brahman alone is real and everything is Brahman.   Deeper self-search revels the fact that Sri, Sankara’s declaration is very the truth, but to realize the Brahman or ultimate truth the orthodoxy is the greatest hurdle. Since people are stuck sentimentally stuck with orthodoxy they take imagination oriented hallucinated path of karma. 

 The individual is the false self within the false experience.  Thus, the  conduct and actions performed as an individual within the falsehood will not yield fruits.  Thus, it is necessary to realize the fact that, the self is not the form, but the self is formless and reject all theories based on the form in order to realize the ultimate truth.  Self-Knowledge is the goal of every truth seeker.

Ish Upanishad declares:~  Those people who have neglected the attainment of Self-knowledge and have thus committed suicide