This paper deals with one of the most complicated issues in philosophy – the problem of intentionality of consciousness. The author seeks to answer the question of whether the intentionality of consciousness can be considered a universal anthropological characteristic. Two philosophical positions regarding intentionality are compared on the basis of Jean-Paul Sartre’s major works and the sacred texts of Hinduism and Buddhism. The author first identifies certain traits of Western metaphysics, which regards consciousness as something to be revealed and to be described as intentional, and second, takes up the approach Ancient Indian metaphysics’ that regards the “depriving” consciousness of its intentionality as having a soteriological purpose.

intentionality, being, freedom, subject, subjectlessness, negaion, sansaric subject, sacred, profane