---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Did Buddha teach that the many was real…"
description: "\"Did Buddha teach that the many was real and the ego unreal, while orthodox Hinduism regards the One as the real, and the many as unreal?\" the Swami was..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b01/swami-vivekananda-53_attitude_did-buddha-teach-that-the-many-was-real_686468.jpg"
---

#  Did Buddha teach that the many was real and the ego…

![“Did Buddha teach that the many was real and the ego unreal, while orthodox Hinduism regards the One as the real, and the many as unreal?&quot; the Swami was asked. &quot;Yes&quot;, answered the Swami. &quot;And what Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and I have added to this is, that the Many and the One are the same Reality…” quote by Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b01/swami-vivekananda-53_attitude_did-buddha-teach-that-the-many-was-real_686468.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b01/swami-vivekananda-53_attitude_did-buddha-teach-that-the-many-was-real_686468.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b01/swami-vivekananda-53_attitude_did-buddha-teach-that-the-many-was-real_686468.jpg)

> “Did Buddha teach that the many was real and the ego unreal, while orthodox Hinduism regards the One as the real, and the many as unreal?" the Swami was asked. "Yes", answered the Swami. "And what Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and I have added to this is, that the Many and the One are the same Reality, perceived by the same mind at different times and in different attitudes.”

[Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The quote contrasts Buddhist and Hindu views on reality, then unifies them by saying the many and one are the same reality perceived differently.

**In simple terms:** Many and one are the same reality seen from different perspectives.

Key Takeaway

Recognize unity beyond apparent dualities.

Themes

philosophy spirituality unity

Mood

contemplative inquisitive

Type

philosophical spiritual

When to use this quote

- personal meditation
- interfaith dialogue
- philosophical study

Key Concepts

Nonduality perception identity

Questions to Reflect On

- How does perceiving unity change your daily interactions?
- Can you experience the same reality in different contexts?

A Different Perspective

May oversimplify complex theological differences.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Attitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) [Different attitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different-attitude/) [Ego](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ego/) [Hinduism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hinduism/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Orthodox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/orthodox/) [Reality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reality/)

## Related quotes

> [“Reality is neither the subject nor the object of true art which creates its own special reality having nothing to do with the average…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-nabokov/reality-is-neither-the-subject-nor-the-object-of-true-art-which/)

[Vladimir Nabokov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-nabokov/)

> [When reality is perceived in its nature of ultimate perfection, the practitioner has reached a level of wisdom called non-discrimination mind - a wondrous…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nhat-hanh/when-reality-is-perceived-in-its-nature-of-ultimate-perfection-the/)

[Nhat Hanh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nhat-hanh/)

> [“What if reality (as perceived) were simply an extension of the self? Wouldn't that color the way each individual experiences the world?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-mazzucchelli/what-if-reality-as-perceived-were-simply-an-extension-of-the-self/)

[David Mazzucchelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-mazzucchelli/)

> [“In an era where Existence is incontestable, Truth is subjective, and Reality is perceived, fiction must mediate between the three.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-martin/in-an-era-where-existence-is-incontestable-truth-is-subjective-and/)

[Henry Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-martin/)

> [“Eystein had also resorted to a weird form of trickery: among his decorations of wood or wool, gold or velvet, he would insert one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-nabokov/eystein-had-also-resorted-to-a-weird-form-of-trickery-among-his/)

[Vladimir Nabokov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-nabokov/)

> [“What rules the world is ideas, because ideas define the way reality is perceived.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irving-kristol/what-rules-the-world-is-ideas-because-ideas-define-the-way-reality-is/)

[Irving Kristol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irving-kristol/)

> [Perception is reality. If you are perceived to be something, you might as well be it because that's the truth in people's minds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-young/perception-is-reality-if-you-are-perceived-to-be-something-you-might/)

[Steve Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-young/)

> [A completely indifferent attitude toward clothes in women seems to me to be an admission of inferiority, of perverseness, or of alack of realization…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hortense-odlum/a-completely-indifferent-attitude-toward-clothes-in-women-seems-to-me/)

[Hortense Odlum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hortense-odlum/)

> [My whole life, people have been telling me that I think like a guy when it comes to dating. I was pretty carefree in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giuliana-rancic/my-whole-life-people-have-been-telling-me-that-i-think-like-a-guy/)

[Giuliana Rancic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giuliana-rancic/)

> [Boys use the word Friendship to begin the relationship, and girls use the same word to end the relationship. Same word, defined with a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-cchan/boys-use-the-word-friendship-to-begin-the-relationship-and-girls-use/)

[AaRon CcHan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-cchan/)

> [I don't have multiple personalities ...But I have different attitudes and my attitudes towards you depends on you ...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/venkat-desireddy/i-don-t-have-multiple-personalities-but-i-have-different-attitudes/)

Venkat Desireddy

> [That's the kind of musical freedom I like: jazz, rock, blues, anything. You adopt different attitudes when you play different music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alvin-lee/that-s-the-kind-of-musical-freedom-i-like-jazz-rock-blues-anything/)

[Alvin Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alvin-lee/)

> [It will be disastrous when a leader or manager shows up with one attitude one day and treats people with a different attitude the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zig-ziglar/it-will-be-disastrous-when-a-leader-or-manager-shows-up-with-one/)

[Zig Ziglar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zig-ziglar/)

> [On paper, swearing takes on a different attitude. It can make you sound very angry when you use it a lot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanna-coles/on-paper-swearing-takes-on-a-different-attitude-it-can-make-you-sound/)

[Joanna Coles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanna-coles/)

> [I think that, in the end, the military behavior and intelligence services are not very different from each other. It's an attitude of hunters;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-ramirez/i-think-that-in-the-end-the-military-behavior-and-intelligence/)

[Edgar Ramirez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-ramirez/)

## More by Swami Vivekananda

> [Every action that helps us manifest our divine nature more and more is good; every action that retards it is evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/every-action-that-helps-us-manifest-our-divine-nature-more-and-more/)

[Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/)

> [Holiness sincerity, and faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/holiness-sincerity-and-faith/)

[Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/)

> [The Hindus have a peculiar slovenliness in business matters, not being sufficiently methodical and strict in keeping accounts etc.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/the-hindus-have-a-peculiar-slovenliness-in-business-matters-not-being/)

[Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/)

> [Renunciation is in our blood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/renunciation-is-in-our-blood/)

[Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/)

> [Let positive, strong, helpful thoughts enter into your brains from very childhood. Lay yourselves open to these thoughts, and not to weakening and paralysing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/let-positive-strong-helpful-thoughts-enter-into-your-brains-from-very/)

[Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/)

> [Where can we go to find God if we cannot see Him in our own hearts and in every living being.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/where-can-we-go-to-find-god-if-we-cannot-see-him-in-our-own-hearts/)

[Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/)

> [It is the free alone which never changes, and the unchangeable alone which is free; for change is produced by something exterior to a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/it-is-the-free-alone-which-never-changes-and-the-unchangeable-alone/)

[Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/)

> [Above all, India is the land of religion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/above-all-india-is-the-land-of-religion/)

[Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/)

> [The awakening of the soul to its bondage and its effort to stand up and assert itself - this is called life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/the-awakening-of-the-soul-to-its-bondage-and-its-effort-to-stand-up/)

[Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/)

> [It is the Prana that is manifesting as motion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/it-is-the-prana-that-is-manifesting-as-motion/)

[Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/)

> [Though an atom is invisible, unthinkable, yet in it are the whole power and potency of the universe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/though-an-atom-is-invisible-unthinkable-yet-in-it-are-the-whole-power/)

[Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/)

> [Nothing can be produced without a cause, and the effect is but the cause reproduced.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/nothing-can-be-produced-without-a-cause-and-the-effect-is-but-the/)

[Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/)

> [All the strength and succour you want is within yourselves. Therefore make your own future. "Let the dead past bury its dead." The infinite…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/all-the-strength-and-succour-you-want-is-within-yourselves-therefore/)

[Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/)

> [Be brave! Be strong! Be fearless! Once you have taken up the spiritual life, fight as long as there is any life in you.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/be-brave-be-strong-be-fearless-once-you-have-taken-up-the-spiritual/)

[Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/)

> [“there is a continuity of mind, as the Yogis call it. The mind is universal. Your mind, my mind, all these little minds, are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/there-is-a-continuity-of-mind-as-the-yogis-call-it-the-mind-is/)

[Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/)

[Explore all 1,889 Swami Vivekananda quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/)

## More Attitude quotes

> [“WE CAN'T ALWAYS CONTROL OUR CIRCUMSTANCES BUT WE CAN CONTROL OUR ATTITUDE. WE MUST BE MORE CONCERNED WITH WHAT WE DO WITH WHAT HAPPENS…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/we-can-t-always-control-our-circumstances-but-we-can-control-our/)

[MARVIN J. ASHTON](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/)

> [It's not the method, it's the mindset.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gilbert/it-s-not-the-method-it-s-the-mindset/)

[Andy Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gilbert/)

> [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/)

[Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/)

> [Changes before your eyes, things you can do and things you can't. My attitude is always let it keep rolling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terrence-malick/changes-before-your-eyes-things-you-can-do-and-things-you-can-t-my/)

[Terrence Malick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terrence-malick/)

> [Vow to be valiant. Resolve to be radiant. Determine to be dynamic. Strive to be sincere. Aspire to be attuned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/vow-to-be-valiant-resolve-to-be-radiant-determine-to-be-dynamic/)

[William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/)

> [Don't judge me because I'm stupid. Don't judge me because I'm, mean. Don't judge me because I'm weird. Don't judge me for mistakes. Because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaiah-harden-me/don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-stupid-don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-mean-don/)

Isaiah Harden (Me

> [Your feelings (mood) dictate your thought, your thought determines your attitude (reactions) and your attitude describes your lifestyle, so: be careful how you feel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheye-hassan/your-feelings-mood-dictate-your-thought-your-thought-determines-your/)

Sheye Hassan

> [Success will come when the societal attitude changes and not a single woman in America asks herself the question 'What did I do?'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/success-will-come-when-the-societal-attitude-changes-and-not-a-single/)

[Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/)

> [“Good Seeds! Gratitude is the Greatest Attitude that has no Substitute.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-kelvin-clive/good-seeds-gratitude-is-the-greatest-attitude-that-has-no-substitute/)

[Bernard Kelvin Clive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-kelvin-clive/)

> [Jeff Chu's pilgrimage across America to discover his own place as a gay man in the Christian church as well as attitudes about being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-freitas/jeff-chu-s-pilgrimage-across-america-to-discover-his-own-place-as-a/)

[Donna Freitas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-freitas/)

> [One genuine reason to feel jealous of my parents:-) I will never ever have a kid as awesome as their's...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-genuine-reason-to-feel-jealous-of-my-parents-i-will-never-ever/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [I'm optimistic Hong Kong will achieve universal suffrage - no matter the attitude of Beijing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/i-m-optimistic-hong-kong-will-achieve-universal-suffrage-no-matter/)

[Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/)

> [My attitude it that you don't give in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-taylor/my-attitude-it-that-you-don-t-give-in/)

[Phil Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-taylor/)

> [Transparency pertains to impartial behavior, implies openness, communication, and accountability. Inculcate transparency in attitude and experience a life free of controversy and blame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-anil-kr-sinha/transparency-pertains-to-impartial-behavior-implies-openness/)

[Dr Anil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-anil-kr-sinha/)

> [And if the mind thinks with a believing attitude one can do amazing things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/and-if-the-mind-thinks-with-a-believing-attitude-one-can-do-amazing/)

[Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/)

[Browse all 9,543 Attitude quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Did Buddha teach that the many was real and the ego unreal, while orthodox Hinduism regards the One as the real, and the many as unreal?\" the Swami was asked. \"Yes\", answered the Swami. \"And what Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and I have added to this is, that the Many and the One are the same Reality, perceived by the same mind at different times and in different attitudes.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Swami Vivekananda"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/did-buddha-teach-that-the-many-was-real-and-the-ego-unreal-while/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Attitude"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/did-buddha-teach-that-the-many-was-real-and-the-ego-unreal-while/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b01/swami-vivekananda-53_attitude_did-buddha-teach-that-the-many-was-real_686468.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b01/swami-vivekananda-53_attitude_did-buddha-teach-that-the-many-was-real_686468.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b01/swami-vivekananda-53_attitude_did-buddha-teach-that-the-many-was-real_686468.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Did Buddha teach that the many was real and the ego unreal, while orthodox Hinduism regards the One as the…” — Swami Vivekananda",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Swami Vivekananda",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Did Buddha teach that the many...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/did-buddha-teach-that-the-many-was-real-and-the-ego-unreal-while/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/did-buddha-teach-that-the-many-was-real-and-the-ego-unreal-while/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
