Abhinavagupta — Questions and answers

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What is Pratyabhijñā compared to by Professor Carter?

Choices

  1. Acquiring new knowledge from a book.
  2. Learning a new language quickly.
  3. Suddenly recognizing an old friend. ✓
  4. Drawing a diagram on a whiteboard.

Answer: Suddenly recognizing an old friend.

From page 4

What did Abhinavagupta believe the experience of 'Rasa' in art could lead to?

Choices

  1. A feeling of personal ego and worldly concerns.
  2. A profound, pure delight free from personal ego. ✓
  3. A temporary sadness about the world.
  4. Learning how to dance or act.

Answer: A profound, pure delight free from personal ego.

From page 5

What happens to our individual consciousness when we truly engage with art, according to Dr. Sharma?

Choices

  1. It becomes smaller and more limited.
  2. It expands and sheds limiting definitions. ✓
  3. It gets confused by the experience.
  4. It completely disappears forever.

Answer: It expands and sheds limiting definitions.

From page 6

What does Dr. Sharma say is the greatest challenge to Pratyabhijñā (recognition)?

Choices

  1. A lack of artistic expression.
  2. Our deeply ingrained habit of dualistic thought. ✓
  3. Not understanding the meaning of Svātantrya.
  4. External rituals and actions.

Answer: Our deeply ingrained habit of dualistic thought.

From page 7

How can the experience of Rasa help us overcome obstacles to recognition, according to Professor Carter?

Choices

  1. It makes our limitations more fundamental.
  2. It only works through deep meditation.
  3. It temporarily suspends the 'me' and 'mine' and allows recognition of free consciousness. ✓
  4. It helps us identify with our ego more strongly.

Answer: It temporarily suspends the 'me' and 'mine' and allows recognition of free consciousness.

From page 8

Besides Kashmir Shaivism, what other traditions did Abhinavagupta's work influence?

Choices

  1. Only academic philosophy.
  2. Tantra and Indian aesthetics. ✓
  3. Only modern meditation centers.
  4. Just asceticism.

Answer: Tantra and Indian aesthetics.

From page 9

What does Abhinavagupta's non-dual vision offer in a world fragmented by division and conflict?

Choices

  1. A way to create more conflict.
  2. A profound antidote. ✓
  3. A limited ego.
  4. A focus on separate entities.

Answer: A profound antidote.

From page 10