Indian Philosophy: Overview and Samkhya School

Overview

• Indian schools of philosophy, also known as Darshanas, are ancient philosophical traditions that originated in India.
• There are six main schools of Indian philosophy: Samkhya, Yoga, Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Mimamsa, and Vedanta.

Samkhya School

• Founded by Kapila (c. 6th century BCE)
• Dualistic philosophy: separates the material world (prakriti) from the conscious self (purusha)
• Aims to liberate the self from the cycle of rebirth through understanding the nature of reality
• Key concepts:
  • The three gunas (sattva, rajas, tamas) that govern the material world
  • The concept of evolution and involution of the universe

Yoga School

• Founded by Patanjali (c. 2nd century BCE)
• Concerned with the attainment of liberation through physical, mental, and spiritual disciplines
• Key concepts:
  • The eight limbs of yoga: yamas, niyamas, asanas, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana, and samadhi
  • The concept of chakras and kundalini energy

Nyaya School

• Founded by Gautama (c. 2nd century BCE)
• Concerned with the nature of knowledge and reality
• Key concepts:
  • The theory of perception and inference
  • The concept of pramanas (means of knowledge): perception, inference, comparison, and testimony
  • The concept of doubt and the need for critical inquiry

Vaisheshika School

• Founded by Kanada (c. 2nd century BCE)
• Concerned with the nature of reality and the universe
• Key concepts:
  • The concept of atomism: the universe is composed of indivisible atoms
  • The concept of padarthas (categories): substance, quality, motion, time, space, and soul

Mimamsa School

• Founded by Jaimini (c. 2nd century BCE)
• Concerned with the interpretation of the Vedas and the nature of dharma
• Key concepts:
  • The concept of dharma: moral and social duties
  • The concept of apurva: the unseen, unmanifest power of rituals and sacrifices

Vedanta School

• Founded by Badarayana (c. 1st century BCE)
• Concerned with the nature of ultimate reality and the self
• Key concepts:
  • The concept of Brahman: the ultimate reality
  • The concept of Atman: the individual self
  • The concept of Maya: the illusion of the material world

Overview of Indian Philosophy

• Indian philosophy consists of six main schools of thought, known as Darshanas
• These schools originated in ancient India and focus on understanding reality and the nature of the self

Samkhya School

• Founded by Kapila around 6th century BCE
• Dualistic philosophy, separating the material world (prakriti) from the conscious self (purusha)
• Aims to liberate the self from the cycle of rebirth through understanding reality
• Key concepts:
  • Three gunas (sattva, rajas, tamas) governing the material world
  • Evolution and involution of the universe

Yoga School

• Founded by Patanjali around 2nd century BCE
• Focuses on attaining liberation through physical, mental, and spiritual disciplines
• Key concepts:
  • Eight limbs of yoga: yamas, niyamas, asanas, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana, and samadhi
  • Chakras and kundalini energy

Nyaya School

• Founded by Gautama around 2nd century BCE
• Concerned with the nature of knowledge and reality
• Key concepts:
  • Theory of perception and inference
  • Pramanas (means of knowledge): perception, inference, comparison, and testimony
  • Doubt and the need for critical inquiry

Vaisheshika School

• Founded by Kanada around 2nd century BCE
• Concerned with the nature of reality and the universe
• Key concepts:
  • Atomism: the universe is composed of indivisible atoms
  • Padarthas (categories): substance, quality, motion, time, space, and soul

Mimamsa School

• Founded by Jaimini around 2nd century BCE
• Concerned with the interpretation of the Vedas and the nature of dharma
• Key concepts:
  • Dharma: moral and social duties
  • Apurva: the unseen, unmanifest power of rituals and sacrifices

Vedanta School

• Founded by Badarayana around 1st century BCE
• Concerned with the nature of ultimate reality and the self
• Key concepts:
  • Brahman: the ultimate reality
  • Atman: the individual self
  • Maya: the illusion of the material world