Essay – India’s basic philosophy and its effect on our society
India’s basic philosophy and its effect on our society Essay: India is a tessellation of philosophical principles and the birthland of various spiritual thoughts and beliefs. The basic Indian philosophy pertains to the traditional Hindu categorization of ‘astika’ and ‘nastika’ schools of philosophy determined on the basis of beliefs in Vedas, the convention of thought believing in the concepts of ‘Brahman’ and ‘Atman’ and the belief in devas or afterlife. Indian philosophy can be broadly divided into two schools, one propounded by the followers of Vedas such as Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Samkhya, Yoga, Mimamsa and Vedanta and the orthodox defying Sramanic followers such as Jain, Buddhist, Ajivika, Ajnana and Charvaka.
Discussion
The principle doctrines of Indian philosophy were indoctrinated between 500 BCE and the late centuries of the Common Era (CE). The major philosophical traditions included the Vedic Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Samkhya, Yoga, Mimamsa and Vedanta. The presence of various and often contradictory traditions of thoughts made the assimilation of philosophies into one unified philosophy of the nation difficult. However the Hindu philosophical unity was established with Jainism, Buddhism, Yoga, Salva and Vedanta assimilated into Indian philosophy while Ajnana, Charvaka and Ajivika were eliminated.
The major themes embodied in all the major philosophies of India are dharma, karma, samsara, dukkha, renunciation, and meditation which culminate with the achievement of ultimate liberation.
Dharma is an integral principal concept in both orthodox philosophies such as Hinduism and heterodoxical philosophies such as Jainism. Dharma in general connotes virtuousness and uprightness. merit and integrity. The connotation of Dhamma in Hinduism is a major aspect of Purushartha or the main objectives of life and signifies demeanour according to the Rta. It pertains to righteous duties, respect for everyone’s rights, rules and regulations administering society, and moral values. In Buddhism Dharma connotes the cosmic law and in Jainism, it refers to the teachings of Tirthankara.
Karma in Hinduism connotes actions and their consequent result and is considered to be the preceding concepts of the contemporary theory of ‘cause and effect’ The aim and its determined execution in the form of actions are concurrently associated with the result. For instance, a noble deed of charity leads to noble rewards such as self-respect and dignity. In Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism karma is assimilated with the concepts of rebirth. The deeds of one life would lead to an affluent and spiritually noble life in the next birth. Samsara is an integral concept of heterodoxical philosophies such as Jainism and Buddhism that has a close resemblance to the concept of karma and theorizes on birth and rebirth, the aimlessness of the journey of life and ultimate liberation. The philosophy of dukkha entails the pain and suffering of individuals during their lifetime. The only path to freedom from ‘dukkha’ is renunciation or relinquishing of all material pleasures paving the way to ultimate liberation.
Conclusion.
In conclusion, India’s philosophy is characterized by the multiplicity of theological principles from various schools of thought. Hinduism follows the orthodox doctrines encoded in the Vedas and Upanishads, whereas the Sramanic philosophies of Jainism and Buddhism follow heterodoxical principles that are devoid of elaborate and strict rituals.
Discussion
Q1. What are Indian philosophies based on?
Ans: The basic Indian philosophy pertains to the traditional Hindu categorization of ‘astika’ and ‘nastika’ schools of philosophy determined on the basis of beliefs in Vedas, the convention of thought believing in the concepts of ‘Brahman’ and ‘Atman’.
Q2. What are the major traditions of Indian Philosophies?
The major philosophical traditions included the Vedic Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Samkhya, Yoga, Mimamsa and Vedanta.
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