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7. Raseshvara Shaivism
8. Monistic Shaivism of Kashmir
17. SAIVISM
Pasupatis of Vairagis
Probably the oldest school within Shaivism. The school of Shaiva Siddhanta is a continuation of this tradition.
Shaiva Siddhanta
The Shaivasiddhantins date as early as the sixth century AD. Followed by many intellectuals. It has a personal doctrine, stressing the plurality of souls (as opposed to the advaita idea that all souls are one with God). According to Shaiva Sidhdhaantha the God is formless (arUpa). But for the salvation of mankind He took the form of lingam - form of the formless (arUpa rUpa). This is very close to the Christian Theology and will probably identical with if Ganapathy, the Lord of reconciliation can be identified with Christ the form of the formless.
Kashmiri (Trika) Shaivism - Shiva-advaita.
Abhinavagupta (c. 960 1020) was the proponent of this theological movement. In this the aim of the believer is to "become Shiva". There is only one reality, that is Cit - consciousness. This the the advaita version of Saivism. It is almost identical with the Lurianic Kaballah of Judaism. This theology is very close to the Eastern Christian Theology of creation of cosmos.
Virashaivism (the Lingayats)
This movement started with Basava of the 12th c. It opposed caste differences.
Shaiva Asceticism - the rebels in Saivism
Shaiva has long been connected with rigorous asceticism and odd behaviors. Well known are the naked Nagas. Many yogis are Shaivites. Prominent are the Nathapatnis, followers of Gorakhnatha, and the Aghori who deliberately contravene moral norms.
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