Nastika Dictionary

Nastika (Sanskrit). Atheist, or rather he who does not worship or recognize the gods and idols.

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

Nastika (Sanskrit) [from na not + astika one who believes in the existence of the orthodox exoteric divinity and divinities]

One who rejects the orthodox and exoteric religious teachings concerning the divinities, and who in consequence is apt to be called an atheist by orthodox exotericists. As all such orthodox exotericism really consists, at least in very large measure, in looking upon the divinities in the universe as objects of adoration, much after the manner in which the populace worships idols, hence nastika can likewise be considered to mean one who rejects idols, including every anthropomorphic god.

In this sense every genuine occultist is a nastika, although every occultist will affirm the existence of divinities, gods, spiritual beings, or dhyani-chohans -- call them by what name is preferred -- in the universe, stating indeed that the universe is filled full with divinities or essentially spiritual beings in the myriad stages of evolutionary development.

But the occultist, while revering the more grandly spiritual hierarchies of these divinities, worships or adores none of them, reserving his unspeakably deep reverence for that nameless ineffable mystery which is beyond, above, and within the boundless All, and therefore is not only unspeakable but unthinkable.

(See also: Nastika , Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary)

Buddhism: The religion based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha (ca 624544 bce). He refuted the idea of man's having an immortal soul and did not preach of any Supreme Deity. Instead he taught that man should seek to overcome greed, hatred and delusion and attain enlightenment through realizing the Four Noble Truths and following the Eightfold Path.

Prominent among its holy books is the Dhammapada. Buddhism arose out of Hinduism as an inspired reform movement which rejected the caste system and the sanctity of the Vedas. It is thus classed as nastika, "unbeliever," and is not part of Hinduism. Buddhism eventually migrated out of India, the country of its origin, and now enjoys a following of over 350 million, mostly in Asia.

See: Buddha.

(See also: Buddhism , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

atheism: The rejection of all religion or religious belief, or simply the belief that God or Gods do not exist. See: charvaka, materialism, nastika.

(See also: Atheism , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

heterodox: "Different opinion." Opposed to or departing from established doctrines or beliefs. Opposite of orthodox, "straight opinion."

See: nastika.

(See also: Heterodox , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

Charvaka: (Sanskrit) "Good or sweet voice or word."

Indian philosopher (ca 600 bce) who fashioned the school of pure materialism bearing his name. One of the great skeptics of all time. See: nastika.

(See also: Charvaka , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

nastika: (Sanskrit) "One who denies; unbeliever." Opposite of astika, "one who asserts."

The terms astika (orthodox) and nastika (unorthodox) are a traditional classification of Indian schools of thought. Nastika refers to all traditions that reject and deny the scriptural authority of the Vedas. This includes Sikhism, Jainism, Buddhism, the Charvaka materialists and others. Astika refers to those schools that accept the revealed authority of the Vedas as supreme scripture. This includes the four major sects: Saivism, Shaktism, Vaishnavism and Smartism.

See: atheism, Charvaka, materialism.

(See also: Nastika , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

Buddhism: Relations with other faiths

Some Hindus (primarily in the northern regions of India) believe that Gautama is the 9th incarnation (see avatar) of Vishnu; there are accounts of the Buddha as an incarnation of Vishnu that are pro- and anti-Buddhist (i.e., either Vishnu "really meant" what he said while incarnated as Buddha or he was just messing with the Nastikas). This is not a majority view, however.

Read more here: » Buddhism: Relations with other faiths