Origen

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Hayagrīva: This is Origen who lived from 185-254 A.D., and he studied at Alexandria, Egypt, during the same time as Plotinus. In fact he knew Plotinus, but Origen was a Christian and is considered the founder of Christian philosophy. He believed that ultimate reality, which is spiritual, consists of the Supreme Infinite Person, God, as well as individual personalities. "Ultimate reality is the interrelationships of persons with each other and with the Infinite Person, God." So he differed from Plotinus in the belief that God has personality.

Prabhupāda: Yes. God is person. He is also believing personality. "Father," he says, Plotinus, but his ideas are not very clear. Did he not Plotinus say, "The fatherland"?

Hayagrīva: He mentioned, "The father," but that...

Prabhupāda: The father is person. Anyway, we shall discuss this tomorrow.

Prabhupāda: Origen. All right. We shall discuss tomorrow.

Hayagrīva: You want to discuss tomorrow? [break] I'm just touching the main points in these, but since we're not interested in comparative theology. I'm just touching the main philosophical differences in these early Christian theologian philosophers. Origen believed that, "The ultimate reality which is spiritual, consists of the Supreme Infinite Person, God, as well as individual personalities. Ultimate reality is the interrelationships of persons with each other and with the Infinite Person, God." So here he differs from the Greeks, who were basically impersonal.

Prabhupāda: Our Vedic conception is almost the same, that the individual souls, or living entities are innumerable, and each one of them has intimate relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In the material condition of life the living entity has forgotten his relationship, and when, by the process of devotional service, he comes to his liberated position, at that time he revives his old relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

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