Indian philosophy and modern science share common features, at the level of parallels, isomorphic themes and problems. First, the search for unity resonates with the holy grail of the theory of everything in theoretical physics, which began with Albert Einstein. The search for a fundamental theory, Steven Weinberg says, lifts human life above the level of farce and gives it some of the grace of tragedy.

(See also: Indian philosophy, Faith and Belief, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

In classical times, these inquiries were systematized in six schools of philosophy. The questions asked were: What is the ontological nature of consciousness? How is cognition itself experienced? Is mind (chit) intentional or not? Does cognition have its own structure? The six schools of Indian philosophy are: Mimamsa Samkhya See also:

Ancient philosophy, Ancient philosophy - Classical, Ancient philosophy - Greek, Ancient philosophy - Roman, Ancient philosophy - Schools of thought in the Hellenistic period, Ancient philosophy - Vedic philosophy, Ancient philosophy - Classical Indian philosophy, Ancient philosophy - Old Iranian philosophy, Ancient philosophy - Chinese philosophy

Read more here: » Ancient philosophy: Encyclopedia II - Ancient philosophy - Classical Indian philosophy

The orthodox systems of philosophy believe in the authority of the Vedas. The heterodox systems of philosophy do not believe in the authority of the Vedas.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Orthodox And Heterodox Systems: Vedic Philosophy - The Orthodox And The Heterodox Systems Of Indian Philosophy

Samkhya Nyaya Vaisheshika Yoga Purva Mimamsa Advaita Vedanta Vishishtadvaita Dvaita Carvaka Jain Buddhist Logic Samkhya, also Sankhya, (Sanskrit: सांख्य) is a school of Indian philosophy, and is one of the six astika or Hindu philosophical schools of India. It is regarded as the oldest of the orthodox ...

Including:

• Samkhya - Epistemology
• Samkhya - The metaphysics of Samkhya

Read more here: » Samkhya: Encyclopedia - Samkhya

Although ancient Jain scientific thought is not so well known, it is a rich source of Indian scientific heritage. The grand Jain spiritual tradition and its masters broadly influenced Indian thought and rationality in three key areas:

Atomism, non-absolutism and mathematical concepts including the theory of numbers: As realists, a satisfactory explanation for the origin of the material world was important to Jain philosophers. Karma, according to the Jains, is paudgalika or of material nature. By its linkages with body and thus with the outer world, the soul is literally penetrated with material particles of a very subtle kind.

(See also: Jain Philosophy, Indian Festivals, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Religion is not meant to create conflict and division, but to promote dialogue and harmony. Buddha Purnima is an appropriate occasion to dwell a little on the Buddhist philosophy I follow, of Nichiren Daishonin, called the Soka Gakkai, which literally means "Value Creating Society".

Daisaku Ikeda, president of Soka Gakkai International, says: "The people and the society of our age might be compared to a ship in the middle of the ocean which has lost its compass. Without an accurate guide to lead them, they sail aimlessly along towards the future''.

(See also: Buddha Purnima, Indian Festivals, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Pilgrims are flocking to the shrine of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti at Ajmer on the occasion of the annual Urs. Popularly known as Khwaja Gharib Nawaz, the dargah symbolises a touching synthesis of the hopes and prayers of various faiths and communities.

Both Hindus and Muslims remember Moinuddin Chishti as Khwaja Gharib Nawaz, revering him for his simple teachings and eclectic philosophy. The Khwaja believed that no spiritual exercise, penitence, prayer, or vigil had greater value than bringing succour to distressed hearts and helping the needy. He directed all his efforts towards alleviation of human misery.

(See also: Chishti Shrine, Indian Festivals, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

The philosophy of Prophet Zarathushtra accorded sanctity to nature as much as to rectitude in human existence. The Sun became the celestial emblem of the Fire which was kept burning within the homes and fire-temples on earth as an undying and unremitting tribute to the spirit of the Creator, Ahura Mazda.

Haptan Yasht says: "We revere the Earth and the Sky, we revere the strong Wind created by Mazda, we revere all good land." The unflinching reverence of the living world as also an abiding involvement with the advancement of our own Self were propounded through Zoroastrianism, a religion in consonance with environmental perceptions. Physical purity became a step towards purity of the mind, the soul and the spirit.

(See also: Jamshedi Navroz, Indian Festivals, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Buddhism is a very important religion in China and one of the three major schools of thought along with Confucianism and Taoism. It has affected and been affected by Chinese culture, politics, literature and philosophy for almost two millennia. For a more generalized discussion of Chinese religion, see religion in China. Buddhism in China - History of Buddhism in China. The arrival of Buddhism in China followed the first contacts between China and Central Asia which occurred with the opening of the Silk Ro ...

Including:

• Buddhism in China - History of Buddhism in China
• Buddhism in China - Relation to Confucianism and Daoism
• Buddhism in China - Local interpretation of Indian texts
• Buddhism in China - Buddhism gains political traction in the north
• Buddhism in China - Monks and rulers join forces
• Buddhism in China - Modern Chinese Buddhism
• Buddhism in China - Reference

Read more here: » Buddhism in China

The essence of yoga is humility! Therefore, it is not surprising that the symbol of yoga or yogamudra is a posture that fosters an attitude of humility. Can one say more on the importance and vital significance of humility in the practice and philosophy of yoga? The phrase 'practice and philosophy' itself is redundant because, in Indian Ontological systems, philosophy translates as darsana , which suggests a first-hand personal experience of the seeker. So, philosophy in India was totally devoid of mere armchair ruminations or meanderings of white collared scientists in their ivory towers.

Read more here: » Yoga Philsophy: Yoga and humility

The three marks of conditioned existence

According to the Buddhist tradition all phenomena (dharmas) are marked by three characteristics, sometimes referred to as the Dharma Seals: Anatta, Anicca and Dukkha

Read more here: » Buddhism Beliefs: The three marks of conditioned existence

Yoga Philosophy explained thru the Patanjali Yoga Sutras. The roots of Yoga can be traced back roughly 5,000 years to the Indus Valley civilization, where seals depicting people performing asanas (yoga postures) were used in trade along the river. The word Yoga comes from the Sanskrit word "Yuj" meaning to yoke, join or unite. It is the union of all aspects of an individual: body, mind and soul. Hence, Yoga reunites all opposites - mind and body, stillness and movement, masculine and feminine, sun and moon - in order to bring reconciliation between them. Yoga is one of the six branches in Indian philosophy and is referred to throughout the Vedas � the ancient scriptures of India. There is a legend that says that the knowledge of Yoga was first offered by Lord Shiva to his wife Parvati and then passed on to the world.

Read more here: » Patanjali: Yoga Philosophy and the Patanjali Yoga Sutras

Buddhism: Origins of Buddhism

Legend has it that the Buddha to be, Siddhartha Gautama, was born around the 6th century BCE. His birthplace is said to be Lumbini in the kingdom of Magadha, in what is now Nepal. His father was a king, and Siddhartha lived in luxury, being spared all hardship.

Read more here: » Buddhism: Origins of Buddhism

Rajneesh Chandra Mohan Jain (December 11, 1931 - January 19, 1990), better known during the 1970s as Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh and later as Osho was an Indian spiritual teacher or guru. He lived in India and the United States and was the spiritual head of the Osho-Rajneesh movement, a controversial new religious movement. As is customary with spiritual teachers in India, Osho received several honorifics over his life. He was known as Acharya Rajneesh (teacher Rajneesh), later Shree Rajneesh and finally Bhagwan ...

Including:

• Rajneesh - Osho's philosophy
• Rajneesh - Osho on meditation
• Rajneesh - Biographical notes
• Rajneesh - Childhood and awakening
• Rajneesh - The Commune
• Rajneesh - The U.S. chapter
• Rajneesh - Back in Pune
• Rajneesh - Quotations
• Rajneesh - Bibliography

Read more here: » Rajneesh: Encyclopedia - Rajneesh

The usefulness of dividing philosophy into Western philosophy and other philosophies is open to challenge, not the least for speaking down to those other philosophies. To say this is not to deny that there are important traditions in philosophy that are intimately bound up with historical and geographical circumstances. The term Eastern philosophy refers very broadly to the various philosophies of Iran, India, China, and Japan. When one uses the term "philosophy" in an academic context, it typically refers to the philoso ...

Including:

• Eastern philosophy - Philosophical and religious traditions
• Eastern philosophy - Hinduism
• Eastern philosophy - Sufism & Islamic philosophy
• Eastern philosophy - Confucianism
• Eastern philosophy - Taoism
• Eastern philosophy - Legalism
• Eastern philosophy - Buddhism
• Eastern philosophy - Jainism
• Eastern philosophy - Maoism
• Eastern philosophy - Shinto
• Eastern philosophy - Arguments against the Eastern philosophy designation
• Eastern philosophy - The perception of God and the gods
• Eastern philosophy - Gods' relationship with the universe
• Eastern philosophy - The role and nature of the individual
• Eastern philosophy - Syntheses of Eastern and Western philosophy

Read more here: » Eastern philosophy: Encyclopedia - Eastern philosophy

This page lists some links to ancient philosophy. In Europe, the spread of Christianity through the Roman world marked the end of Hellenistic philosophy and ushered in the beginnings of Medieval philosophy. Ancient philosophy - Classical. Ancient philosophy - Greek. Pericles (495-429) Aspasia (469-406) Socrates(469-399) Euclid of Megara (450-380) Antisthenes (445-360) Aristippus (435-356) Plato (429-347)Including:

• Ancient philosophy - Classical
• Ancient philosophy - Greek
• Ancient philosophy - Roman
• Ancient philosophy - Schools of thought in the Hellenistic period
• Ancient philosophy - Vedic philosophy
• Ancient philosophy - Classical Indian philosophy
• Ancient philosophy - Old Iranian philosophy
• Ancient philosophy - Chinese philosophy

Read more here: » Ancient philosophy: Encyclopedia - Ancient philosophy

Hindutva ("Hinduness", a word coined by Vinayak Damodar Savarkar in his 1923 pamphlet entitled Hindutva: Who is a Hindu? ) is used to describe movements advocating Hindu nationalism. The former ruling party in India, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is closely associated with a group of organizations that promote Hindutva. They collectively refer to themselves as the "Sangh Parivar" or family of associations, and include the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sa ...

Including:

• Hindutva - Organisations
• Hindutva - Definition and etymology
• Hindutva - Central beliefs
• Hindutva - Philosophy
• Hindutva - Major Organizations
• Hindutva - Views on other faiths
• Hindutva - Indian fascism?
• Hindutva - Literature

Read more here: » Hindutva: Encyclopedia - Hindutva

Samkhya Nyaya Vaisheshika Yoga Purva Mimamsa Advaita Vedanta Vishishtadvaita Dvaita Carvaka Jain Buddhist Logic Hindu philosophy (one of the main divisions of Indian philosophy) is traditionally seen through the prism of six different systems (called darshanas in Sanskrit) that are listed here and make up the main belief systems of Hinduism. Th ...

Including:

• Hindu philosophy - Hindu Philosophy: The Six Main Schools of Thought
• Hindu philosophy - Samkhya
• Hindu philosophy - Nyaya
• Hindu philosophy - Vaisheshika
• Hindu philosophy - Yoga
• Hindu philosophy - Purva Mimamsa
• Hindu philosophy - Uttara Mimamsa: The Three Schools of Vedanta

Read more here: » Hindu philosophy: Encyclopedia - Hindu philosophy

Bhartrihari (c 450–510) was an Indian author. See also: Bhartrihari at Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy Other related archives450, 510, Indian

Read more here: » Bhartrihari: Encyclopedia - Bhartrihari