Followers of our recent series on early Zen masters (and there were many, especially in the Far East), may be interested in this new session of short biographies on masters of Advaita Vedanta in southern India. Advaita has many similarities with Zen.

The series starts with Shankara, an early master who attempted a fusion of Buddhism with the spirituality of the Upanishads. He succeeded and created Advaita Vedanta, which is a powerful movement to this day, especially in southern India.

The session closes with 20th-century master, Ramana Maharshi, a much-loved saint — in its genuine sense — who spent his life on the famed Arunachala Hill at Tiruvannamalai. Not to be missed.

Start reading here.