Alchemy encompasses several philosophical traditions spanning some four millennia and three continents. These traditions' general penchant for cryptic and symbolic language makes it hard to trace their mutual influences and "genetic" relationships. One can distinguish at least two major strands, which appear to be largely independent, at least in their earlier stages: Chinese alchemy, centered in China and its zone of cultural influence; and Western alchemy, whose center has shifted over the millennia between Egypt, Greece and Rome, t ...

See also:

Alchemy, Alchemy - Overview, Alchemy - Alchemy as a proto-science, Alchemy - The changing goals of alchemy, Alchemy - Alchemy and astrology, Alchemy - Alchemy in the age of science, Alchemy - Alchemy as a subject of historical research, Alchemy - Etymology, Alchemy - History, Alchemy - Alchemy in Ancient Egypt, Alchemy - Chinese alchemy, Alchemy - Indian alchemy, Alchemy - Alchemy in the Greek world, Alchemy - Alchemy in the Roman Empire, Alchemy - Alchemy in the Islamic world, Alchemy - Alchemy in Medieval Europe, Alchemy - Alchemy in the Modern Age and Renaissance, Alchemy - The decline of Western alchemy, Alchemy - Modern 'alchemy', Alchemy - Alchemy in art and entertainment, Alchemy - Literature, Alchemy - Music, Alchemy - Other alchemical pages, Alchemy - Related and alternative philosophies, Alchemy - Scientific connections, Alchemy - Substances of the alchemists, Alchemy - Other resources

Read more here: » Alchemy: Encyclopedia II - Alchemy - History

Alchemy - Alchemy as a proto-science. The common perception of alchemists is that they were pseudo-scientists, crackpots and charlatans who attempted to turn lead into gold, believed that the universe was composed of the four elements of earth, air, fire, and water, and spent most of their time concocting miraculous remedies, poisons, and magic potions. In popular view (and popular art) alchemists are hardly distinguished from wizards, seers, astrologers, quack doctors, and other mo ...

See also:

Alchemy, Alchemy - Overview, Alchemy - Alchemy as a proto-science, Alchemy - The changing goals of alchemy, Alchemy - Alchemy and astrology, Alchemy - Alchemy in the age of science, Alchemy - Alchemy as a subject of historical research, Alchemy - Etymology, Alchemy - History, Alchemy - Alchemy in Ancient Egypt, Alchemy - Chinese alchemy, Alchemy - Indian alchemy, Alchemy - Alchemy in the Greek world, Alchemy - Alchemy in the Roman Empire, Alchemy - Alchemy in the Islamic world, Alchemy - Alchemy in Medieval Europe, Alchemy - Alchemy in the Modern Age and Renaissance, Alchemy - The decline of Western alchemy, Alchemy - Modern 'alchemy', Alchemy - Alchemy in art and entertainment, Alchemy - Literature, Alchemy - Music, Alchemy - Other alchemical pages, Alchemy - Related and alternative philosophies, Alchemy - Scientific connections, Alchemy - Substances of the alchemists, Alchemy - Other resources

Read more here: » Alchemy: Encyclopedia II - Alchemy - Overview

Osho (Rajneesh) claimed that the greatest values in life are (in no specific order) love, meditation and laughter, and that the sole goal of human life was to reach spiritual enlightenment. He extracted and expounded truth and techniques from various spiritual sources. He was a prolific speaker both in Hindi and English on various spiritual traditions including those of Buddha, Krishna, Jesus, Socrates, Zen masters, Hassid, Sufism and many others. His lectures were mixed with wit and jokes. His discourses have been printed in several hundred books an ...

See also:

Rajneesh, 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 II - Rajneesh - Osho's philosophy

Alchemy - Literature. Many authors lampooned alchemists and used them as the butt of satirical attacks. Two famous examples of these include the play The Alchemist by Ben Jonson and, two hundred years earlier, Geoffrey Chaucer's literary work Canon's Yeoman's Tale. Some others noteworthy examples include: The anime and manga series Fullmetal Alchemist (Hagane no Renkinjutsushi), by Hiromu Arakawa, is about two alchemists, and is largely concerned with Alchemy. The Philosopher's Stone is ...

See also:

Alchemy, Alchemy - Overview, Alchemy - Alchemy as a proto-science, Alchemy - The changing goals of alchemy, Alchemy - Alchemy and astrology, Alchemy - Alchemy in the age of science, Alchemy - Alchemy as a subject of historical research, Alchemy - Etymology, Alchemy - History, Alchemy - Alchemy in Ancient Egypt, Alchemy - Chinese alchemy, Alchemy - Indian alchemy, Alchemy - Alchemy in the Greek world, Alchemy - Alchemy in the Roman Empire, Alchemy - Alchemy in the Islamic world, Alchemy - Alchemy in Medieval Europe, Alchemy - Alchemy in the Modern Age and Renaissance, Alchemy - The decline of Western alchemy, Alchemy - Modern 'alchemy', Alchemy - Alchemy in art and entertainment, Alchemy - Literature, Alchemy - Music, Alchemy - Other alchemical pages, Alchemy - Related and alternative philosophies, Alchemy - Scientific connections, Alchemy - Substances of the alchemists, Alchemy - Other resources

Read more here: » Alchemy: Encyclopedia II - Alchemy - Alchemy in art and entertainment

Darsanas (Sanskrit) The Schools of Indian philosophy, of which there are six; Shad-darsanas or six demonstrations.

(See also: Darsanas, Theosophy, Spirituality, Body mind and Soul, Spiritual Dictionary, )

VAISESHIKA: system of Indian philosophy founded by Kanada Rishi

(See also: VAISESHIKA, Hinduism, Hinduism Dictionary, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

SANKHYA: system of Indian philosophy founded by Kapila Muni

(See also: SANKHYA, Hinduism, Hinduism Dictionary, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

NAIYAYIKAS: followers of the Nyaya school of Indian philosophy

(See also: NAIYAYIKAS, Hinduism, Hinduism Dictionary, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

samkhya:

samkhya - one of the schools of Indian philosophy

(See also: samkhya, Hinduism, Hinduism Dictionary, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

mimansa:

mimansa - one of the schools of Indian philosophy

(See also: mimansa, Hinduism, Hinduism Dictionary, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

nyaya:

nyaya - one of the schools of Indian philosophy

(See also: nyaya, Hinduism, Hinduism Dictionary, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

vaisesika:

vaisesika - one of the schools of Indian philosophy

(See also: vaisesika, Hinduism, Hinduism Dictionary, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

vedanta:

vedanta - one of the schools of Indian philosophy

(See also: vedanta, Hinduism, Hinduism Dictionary, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

Around the 5th century BCE, the northern Indian subcontinent was invaded by the Achaemenid Empire and the Greeks of Alexander the Great's army. This had important repercussions for Indian civilisation, as the political systems of the Persians would have an influence on later Indian political philosophy, including the administration of the Mauryan dynasty, and a melting pot of Indian, Persian, Central Asian and Greek culture was created in the modern region of Afghanistan, producing a unique hybrid culture. History of India - Achaemenid EmpireSee also:

History of India, History of India - The Paleolithic era, History of India - The Neolithic era, History of India - The Bronze age, History of India - Indus Valley Civilization, History of India - Vedic civilization, History of India - The Mahajanapadas, History of India - Persian and Greek invasion, History of India - Achaemenid Empire, History of India - Alexander the Great, History of India - Greco-Buddhist period, History of India - The Magadha Empire, History of India - Shishunaga dynasty, History of India - Nanda Dynasty, History of India - Maurya dynasty, History of India - Shunga dynasty, History of India - Early Middle Kingdoms - the golden age, History of India - Satavahana Empire, History of India - Kushan Empire, History of India - Gupta dynasty, History of India - Huna invasion, History of India - Indo-Sassanians, History of India - Late Middle Kingdoms - the classical age, History of India - Harsha's empire, History of India - The Chalukyas and Pallavas, History of India - Chola empire, History of India - The Pratiharas Palas and Rashtrakutas, History of India - The Rajputs, History of India - Vijayanagar Empire, History of India - The Islamic Sultanates, History of India - Delhi Sultanate, History of India - The Mughal era, History of India - Mughal Empire, History of India - The Maratha confederacy, History of India - The Kingdom of Mysore, History of India - The Punjab, History of India - Durrani Empire, History of India - Colonial era, History of India - Company rule, History of India - The British Raj, History of India - The independence movement, History of India - Republic of India, History of India - Textbooks and surveys

Read more here: » History of India: Encyclopedia II - History of India - Persian and Greek invasion

There are six main schools of thought on Tattvic philosophy. The original Tattva system was developed by the Indian Maharshi Kapila as part of his Samkhya philosophy. This was about 700BCE, but the roots of Tattvic philosophy go back to at least 2000BCE. Kapila's Samkhya philosophy system divides the universe into five basic Tattvic shapes, which when countercharged become 25 Tattvas. The word Tattva is comprised of two words, Tat (meaning that) and Tvam (meaning thou). Tattva basicially means tha ...

See also:

Tattva, Tattva - A Brief History of the Tattvas, Tattva - The Tattvic Philosophy in Western Tradition, Tattva - Symbols and Colours, Tattva - Conclusion

Read more here: » Tattva: Encyclopedia II - Tattva - A Brief History of the Tattvas

Sad-darshanas: The six orthodox systems of Indian philosophy: Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Sankhya, Yoga, Mimamsa, and Vedanta.

(See also: Sad-darshanas, Hinduism, Hinduism Dictionary, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

darsana:

darsana (dharshana). Any of the six principal systems of ancient Indian philosophy; insight or vision of truth.

(See also: darsana, Hinduism, Hinduism Dictionary, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

Patanjali:

Patanjali (Pathanjali). Author of the Yoga Sutras, which form the foundation of the yoga system of Indian philosophy. See raja-yoga.

(See also: Patanjali, Hinduism, Hinduism Dictionary, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

Ananda: Bliss or joy. In Indian philosophy of the Upanishads, Ananda was an important attribute of the supreme being, Brahman. "Bliss" was used to define Brahman and was also considered to be the highest state of the individual self.

(See also: Ananda, Yoga, Yoga Dictionary)

Vedanta:  The system of Indian philosophy that forms the basis of most modern forms of Hinduism. The term Vedanta in Sanskrit means the "conclusion".  Its source is the Upanishads which are the conclusion of the Veda.

(See also: Vedanta, Yoga, Yoga Dictionary)

Yoga Sutras: The classical text from the yoga school of Indian philosophy. Written by Patanjali around the time of Christ, it remains a primary source of guidance about yoga.

(See also: Yoga Sutras, Yoga, Yoga Dictionary)

Atomistic philosophies are found very early in Islam, and represent a synthesis of the Greek and Indian ideas. Like both the Greek and Indian versions, Islamic atomism was a charged topic that had the potential for conflict with the prevalent religious orthodoxy. Yet it was such a fertile and flexible idea that, as in Greece and India, it flourished in some schools of Islamic thought. The most successful form of Islamic atomism was in kalam philosophy. In kalam atomism, atoms are the only perpetual, material things in existence, and a ...

See also:

Atomism, Atomism - The puzzle of similarities and differences, Atomism - Are there different elements?, Atomism - Is there an ultimate indivisible unit of matter?, Atomism - Consequences for guiding one's life, Atomism - Facing reality, Atomism - Atoms change, Atomism - The exile of atomism, Atomism - Indian atomism, Atomism - Islam preserves atomism, Atomism - The atomic Renaissance, Atomism - A different atom for each element

Read more here: » Atomism: Encyclopedia II - Atomism - Islam preserves atomism