🕉️Intro to Hinduism Unit 8 – Hindu Philosophical Schools

Key Concepts and Terminology

• Darśana refers to the philosophical schools or viewpoints in Hinduism, each offering a unique perspective on reality and the nature of the self
• Āstika schools accept the authority of the Vedas (Nyāya, Vaiśeṣika, Sāṃkhya, Yoga, Mīmāṃsā, Vedānta), while Nāstika schools do not (Cārvāka, Jainism, Buddhism)
• Pramāṇa means "means of knowledge" and includes perception (pratyakṣa), inference (anumāna), comparison (upamāna), and testimony (śabda)
• Puruṣārtha encompasses the four goals of human life: dharma (duty), artha (prosperity), kāma (pleasure), and mokṣa (liberation)
  • Mokṣa is the ultimate goal, involving release from the cycle of birth and death (saṃsāra)
• Ātman refers to the eternal, unchanging self or soul, while Brahman is the ultimate reality or cosmic principle
• Karma is the law of cause and effect, determining an individual's future based on their actions in this life and previous lives

Historical Context and Development

• The development of Hindu philosophical schools spans several centuries, with the earliest texts (Upaniṣads) dating back to the 8th century BCE
• The "Hindu synthesis" (200 BCE-300 CE) saw the integration of various philosophical and religious traditions, leading to the formation of classical Hinduism
• The medieval period (500-1500 CE) witnessed the growth and refinement of the six orthodox schools (ṣaḍdarśana) and the emergence of new philosophical perspectives (Tantra, Bhakti)
• Interactions with other religions (Buddhism, Jainism, Islam) and foreign invasions (Persians, Greeks, Mughals) influenced the development of Hindu thought
• The modern era (1800 CE-present) has seen the reinterpretation of Hindu philosophy in light of Western ideas and the rise of neo-Vedānta and Hindu nationalism

Major Hindu Philosophical Schools

• Nyāya emphasizes logic and epistemology, using syllogistic reasoning to establish the existence of God and the validity of the Vedas
• Vaiśeṣika is an atomistic school that posits the existence of eternal, indivisible atoms (paramāṇu) as the building blocks of reality
• Sāṃkhya is a dualistic school that distinguishes between puruṣa (consciousness) and prakṛti (matter), with the goal of liberating puruṣa from prakṛti
  • Sāṃkhya introduces the concept of the three guṇas (sattva, rajas, tamas) that constitute prakṛti
• Yoga builds upon Sāṃkhya philosophy, emphasizing the practice of meditation and physical disciplines to achieve liberation
  • The Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali outline the eightfold path (aṣṭāṅga) of yoga
• Mīmāṃsā focuses on the interpretation of Vedic rituals and the nature of dharma, with the Pūrva Mīmāṃsā school emphasizing ritual action and the Uttara Mīmāṃsā (Vedānta) school emphasizing knowledge
• Vedānta is based on the teachings of the Upaniṣads and the Bhagavad Gītā, with sub-schools like Advaita (non-dualism), Viśiṣṭādvaita (qualified non-dualism), and Dvaita (dualism)

Core Beliefs and Principles

• The ultimate goal of human life is mokṣa, the liberation from the cycle of birth and death (saṃsāra) and the realization of one's true nature
• Karma and rebirth are central concepts, with an individual's actions (karma) determining their future lives and experiences
• The Vedas are considered the authoritative source of knowledge for the āstika schools, while the nāstika schools rely on other texts and traditions
• The nature of reality is a key point of debate, with schools proposing various models (dualism, non-dualism, pluralism) to explain the relationship between the self (ātman), the world, and the ultimate reality (Brahman)
  • Advaita Vedānta, for example, asserts the non-dual nature of reality, with ātman and Brahman being identical
• The means of attaining knowledge (pramāṇa) and the methods for achieving liberation (sādhana) vary among the schools, with some emphasizing ritual action, others meditation, and others devotion (bhakti)

Influential Texts and Thinkers

• The Upaniṣads are philosophical texts that form the basis for Vedānta, discussing the nature of reality, the self, and the path to liberation
  • Key Upaniṣads include the Bṛhadāraṇyaka, Chāndogya, Kaṭha, and Māṇḍūkya Upaniṣads
• The Bhagavad Gītā is a influential text that synthesizes various philosophical ideas, presenting a path of devotion (bhakti), action (karma), and knowledge (jñāna)
• The Brahma Sūtras are aphorisms attributed to Bādarāyaṇa that systematize Vedānta philosophy, with commentaries by Śaṅkara, Rāmānuja, and Madhva
• Gautama is considered the founder of Nyāya, with his Nyāya Sūtras outlining the school's epistemology and logic
• Kaṇāda is the founder of Vaiśeṣika, with his Vaiśeṣika Sūtras presenting the school's atomistic metaphysics
• Kapila is regarded as the founder of Sāṃkhya, with the Sāṃkhya Kārikā of Īśvarakṛṣṇa being a key text of the school
• Patañjali is the compiler of the Yoga Sūtras, the foundational text of the Yoga school
• Jaimini is the founder of Pūrva Mīmāṃsā, with his Mīmāṃsā Sūtras focusing on Vedic hermeneutics and the nature of dharma

Comparative Analysis of Schools

• While the schools share some common concepts (karma, mokṣa, ātman), they differ in their metaphysical, epistemological, and soteriological views
  • Sāṃkhya and Yoga are closely related, with Yoga adopting Sāṃkhya's dualistic metaphysics but adding the concept of Īśvara (God)
• The Nyāya and Vaiśeṣika schools are often studied together due to their complementary nature, with Nyāya focusing on logic and epistemology and Vaiśeṣika on metaphysics and atomism
• The Mīmāṃsā and Vedānta schools both emphasize the authority of the Vedas but differ in their focus, with Pūrva Mīmāṃsā concentrating on ritual action and Uttara Mīmāṃsā (Vedānta) on philosophical knowledge
• Within Vedānta, the sub-schools propose different interpretations of the relationship between ātman and Brahman, ranging from complete non-dualism (Advaita) to qualified non-dualism (Viśiṣṭādvaita) to dualism (Dvaita)
• The āstika schools generally accept the authority of the Vedas, while the nāstika schools (Cārvāka, Jainism, Buddhism) reject Vedic authority and propose alternative paths to liberation

Modern Interpretations and Relevance

• Hindu philosophical concepts have influenced Western thinkers, such as Arthur Schopenhauer and Henry David Thoreau, who were drawn to the ideas of Vedānta and Yoga
• Swami Vivekananda and Sri Aurobindo were key figures in the modern interpretation of Hindu philosophy, presenting Vedānta as a universal and inclusive tradition
• Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy of non-violence (ahiṃsā) and truth (satya) drew from Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist ideas, applying them to the Indian independence movement
• The study of Hindu philosophy has contributed to the development of comparative philosophy and the dialogue between Eastern and Western thought
• Hindu philosophical concepts, such as karma, yoga, and meditation, have gained popularity in the West, often adapted and integrated into secular contexts
• The ecological and environmental implications of Hindu philosophy have been explored, with concepts like dharma and the interconnectedness of all beings informing eco-friendly practices and sustainability

Key Takeaways and Reflection

• Hindu philosophy is a diverse and rich tradition, with multiple schools and perspectives that have evolved over centuries
• The schools offer unique insights into the nature of reality, the self, and the path to liberation, with some emphasizing knowledge, others action, and others devotion
• While the schools may differ in their specific doctrines, they share a common goal of understanding the human condition and providing a means for transcending suffering
• The study of Hindu philosophy requires an openness to diverse viewpoints and a willingness to engage with complex and often paradoxical ideas
• Hindu philosophical concepts continue to be relevant in the modern world, informing approaches to psychology, ethics, ecology, and interfaith dialogue
• Reflecting on Hindu philosophy can lead to a deeper understanding of one's own beliefs and assumptions, encouraging critical thinking and self-inquiry
• Engaging with Hindu philosophical texts and ideas can be a transformative experience, inviting one to question the nature of reality and the meaning of existence
• The legacy of Hindu philosophy lies not only in its historical influence but also in its ongoing potential to inspire and guide individuals in their search for truth and liberation