|
India
has perhaps the oldest living philosophical tradition in the
world. Its philosophies share five general characteristics:
(1) an affirmation that there's an ultimate reality (such as
Brahman or Atman) based in spiritual realization
(such as Moksha or Nirvana); (2) attention to
the worldly cycles of birth and death (known as Samsara
or Maya), involving such things as evil, ignorance, suffering,
and bondage; (3) a belief in rebirth or reincarnation; (4) a
belief in Karma, a law of moral causation based on past
actions; and (5) an emphasis on Dharma, or moral duty.
Though
Indian philosophies affirm the reality of both spirit and matter,
their predominant emphasis is on the spiritual ideal. Indian
philosophy also is inclusivistic, embracing many alternatives
or paths to one ultimate reality.
Hindus
affirm four aims of life: artha (material possessions),
kama (love), dharma (duty & morality), and
moksha (spiritual freedom).
Buddhism
and Jainism began in India, but India's predominant philosophical
influence has been the Vedic tradition. The Vedas
(meaning knowledge or wisdom, written between 1500-500 BCE)
are the fundamental Hindu scriptures and the basis of orthodox
Hindu philosophies, which may be divided into six main philosophical
systems: (1) Nyaya, involving logic and theory of knowledge;
(2) Vaisheshika, affirming that reality consists of real
atoms; (3) Sankhya, which affirms the dualism of physical/mental
or natural/spiritual phenomena; (4) Yoga, which "yokes"
or "unites" matter and spirit through various exercises;
(5) Mamamsa, which focuses on Vedic duty and ritual;
and (6) Vedanta, which emphasizes one pure, all-encompassing
spiritual reality.
The
best known recent figures of Indian philosophy are Mohandas
Gandhi and Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, who
were major political leaders and cultural figures in India.
|
|
On
two audiotapes - about three hours in length.
Narrator: Lynn Redgrave
Author: Professor Douglas Allen
Editor: Professor John Lachs and
Wendy McElroy
Publisher: Knowledge Products, Inc.
This
title is part of the Audio Classics Series by
Knowledge Products. Knowledge Products publishes a variety of
audio presentations on the great ideas and events of history.
|
