What is the greatest being? Comparing western and eastern concepts of ultimate reality

Abstract

Abstract The idea of the greatest (possible) being or perfect being features prominently in the ontological argument for God’s existence and perfect being theology. The greatest being is commonly conceived as a being with various omni-properties (e.g., omniscience, omnibenevolence, omnipotence and omnipresence). Non-Western traditions include very different accounts of ultimate reality, like the Dào or Brahman. In some traditions, these are regarded as the greatest or perfect being. The paper investigates whether non-Western accounts hold better cards to be regarded as the greatest or perfect being.