Unique features of Indian philosophical systems

Unique Features of Indian Philosophical Systems

I. Transmission and Development of Ideas

• Guru-Shishya Parampara: Philosophical ideas were primarily transmitted through a Guru-shishya parampara (teacher-student lineage)
• Oral Dialogue: Philosophical learning was mainly through oral discussions with the help of texts.
• Textual Framework: The development involved:
  • Sutra texts: Foundational texts
  • Bhashyas: Commentaries on Sutras
  • Varthikas: Explanatory texts and textbooks.

II. Unique Characteristics of Indian Philosophy

A. Intertwining with Religion

• Integration: Philosophy in India is closely intertwined with religion and religious thought, unlike other traditions.
• Philosophical Ideas in Religious Texts: Philosophical ideas are embedded within religious texts such as the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and the Bhagavad Gita.
• Lack of Sharp Distinction: In pre-modern India, there was no sharp distinction between philosophy and religion.
• Dialectic Relationship: There was a give-and-take or dialectic relationship between philosophy and religion.
  • Philosophy provided the theoretical basis for addressing existential issues
  • Religion provided the operational principles for mundane life.
    • Religious practices were often seen as necessary to achieve spiritual goals.
    • Religion provided a discipline to achieve ultimate knowledge/happiness.

B. Shared Concepts

• Karma: All traditions believed in Karma and its consequences.
  • Good and bad actions create consequences which must be borne in this or future lives.
• Transmigration (Samsara): Belief in rebirth, based on accumulated karma and the cycle of birth and death (samsara chakram).
• Free Will: Belief that while some things are determined by past karma, there is an element of free will that allows individuals to choose their actions in the present.
• Moksha: All systems aim to achieve moksha (liberation) from the cycle of birth and death and achieve ultimate happiness through right knowledge and action.

C. Common Parameters

• All Darshanas agreed on the need for achieving Moksha as the ultimate goal.
• Ontology and Epistemology: All systems had clearly defined concepts relating to ontology (the nature of being) and epistemology (the study of knowledge)
• Rigorous Methodologies: They developed rigorous methodologies to define and understand: * The concepts needed to attain moksha * The nature of cognition, knowledge, and the difference between them. * The nature of Ishvara (divine)
• Healthy Culture of Debating:
  • Different schools had disagreements.
  • A healthy culture of debate was practiced, in order to reconcile different views.
  • The debates were not derogatory but were used for mutual learning.
  • This ethic was carried on by both the thinkers and their followers.

V. Classification of Indian Philosophical Systems

A. Broad Classification

• Vedic (Astika): Those that accept the authority or testimony of the Vedas.
• Non-Vedic (Nastika): Those that do not accept the authority or testimony of the Vedas.

B. Important Note

• This classification based on acceptance of Vedas has no connection with their belief in God.
• Both Astika and Nastika traditions may or may not have a belief in God.

C. Astika Systems

• Those who accept the authority of the Vedas
• Six Major Schools: * Samkhya * Yoga * Nyaya * Vaisesika * Mimamsa * Vedanta

D. Nastika Systems

• Those who do not accept the authority of the Vedas.
• Three Major Systems:
  • Charvaka
  • Jaina
  • Buddhism

E. Clarification

• The Mimamsa system (Astika) does not believe in Ishvara, while Jaina and Buddhism (Nastika) have their own conceptions of God and heaven.
• Popular connotations of astika and nastika are different from the classifications used for Indian philosophical traditions.

VI. Conclusion

• The Indian philosophical systems developed their own concepts of Jiva, Jagat and Ishvara.
• Each system has its own focus area within the broad context.