Indian Philosophy and Religions – Complete Notes

Jainism

Founder

• First Tirthankara: Rishabhanatha
• 24th and last Tirthankara: Mahavira

Important Texts

• Angas
• Upangas
• Purvas
• Agamas
• Kalpasutra
• Acharanga Sutra
• Tattvartha Sutra

Main Teachings

• Does not accept a creator God.
• Believes in Karma and rebirth.
• Liberation (Moksha) is the ultimate goal of life.
• Emphasizes non-violence (Ahimsa), truth, and self-discipline.

Syadvada

• Truth can be viewed from different perspectives.
• Reality is relative and multi-dimensional.

Buddhism

Founder

• Gautama Buddha

Important Texts

• Tripitaka (Three Baskets)

Four Sacred Places

• Birth – Lumbini
• Enlightenment – Bodh Gaya
• First Sermon – Sarnath
• Mahaparinirvana – Kushinagar

Main Teachings

• Rejected the authority of the Vedas.
• Did not emphasize a creator God.
• Believed in Karma and rebirth.
• Advocated the Middle Path.

Four Noble Truths

1. Life is suffering (Dukkha).
2. Desire is the cause of suffering.
3. Suffering can end.
4. The Eightfold Path leads to the end of suffering.

Noble Eightfold Path

1. Right View
2. Right Intention
3. Right Speech
4. Right Action
5. Right Livelihood
6. Right Effort
7. Right Mindfulness
8. Right Concentration

Confucianism

Founder

• Confucius (China)

Main Teachings

• Moral conduct.
• Respect for elders.
• Social harmony.
• Ethical governance.

Core Values

• Honesty
• Loyalty
• Discipline
• Respect
• Righteousness

Indian Philosophy

Meaning of Philosophy (Darshana)

The word "Darshana" means "to see" or "to realize truth." It refers to the systematic study of reality, knowledge, and existence.

Classification of Indian Philosophy

1. Astika (Orthodox Schools)

Accept the authority of the Vedas.

2. Nastika (Heterodox Schools)

Do not accept the authority of the Vedas.

The Six Orthodox Schools (Shad-Darshanas)

1. Samkhya Philosophy

Founder

• Sage Kapila

Important Text

• Samkhya Karika

Main Principles

• Two eternal realities:
  • Purusha (Consciousness)
  • Prakriti (Matter/Nature)
• Ignorance causes bondage.
• Knowledge leads to liberation.

2. Yoga Philosophy

Founder

• Sage Patanjali

Important Text

• Yoga Sutras

Eight Limbs of Yoga

1. Yama
2. Niyama
3. Asana
4. Pranayama
5. Pratyahara
6. Dharana
7. Dhyana
8. Samadhi

Feature

• Accepts the existence of God.
• Focuses on mental and physical discipline.

3. Nyaya Philosophy

Founder

• Sage Gautama

Important Text

• Nyaya Sutra

Main Principles

• Based on logic and reasoning.
• Emphasizes valid knowledge (Pramana).
• Knowledge removes ignorance and suffering.

4. Vaisheshika Philosophy

Founder

• Sage Kanada

Main Principles

• Propounded Atomism.
• The universe is made up of atoms.
• Everything can be classified into categories.

5. Mimamsa Philosophy

Founder

• Sage Jaimini

Main Principles

• Emphasizes Vedic rituals and sacrifices.
• Supports the authority of the Vedas.
• Focuses on Dharma (duty).

6. Vedanta Philosophy

Basis

• Upanishads
• Brahma Sutras
• Bhagavad Gita

Main Concern

• Nature of Brahman (Ultimate Reality).
• Relationship between soul and God.

Major Schools of Vedanta

Advaita Vedanta

Founder

• Adi Shankaracharya

Main Teachings

• Brahman alone is real.
• The world is Maya (illusion).
• Individual soul and Brahman are identical.

Vishishtadvaita

Founder

• Ramanujacharya

Main Teachings

• Soul is a part of Brahman.
• God possesses attributes.
• Devotion (Bhakti) is important.

Dvaita Vedanta

Founder

• Madhvacharya

Main Teachings

• Soul and God are eternally different.
• God is supreme and independent.

Dvaitadvaita

Founder

• Nimbarkacharya

Main Teachings

• Soul is both different from and identical to God.

Shuddhadvaita

Founder

• Vallabhacharya

Main Teachings

• Brahman alone exists.
• The world is real.
• Emphasizes devotion to Krishna.

Zoroastrianism (Parsi Religion)

Founder

• Zoroaster (Zarathustra)

Holy Book

• Zend Avesta

Supreme God

• Ahura Mazda

Place of Worship

• Fire Temple

Arrival in India

• Parsis migrated to India in the 8th century CE.

Judaism

Origin

• West Asia

Holy Book

• Old Testament (Tanakh)

Place of Worship

• Synagogue

Main Belief

• Monotheism (belief in one God)

Important Places

• Israel
• Jerusalem
• Tel Aviv

Christianity

Founder

• Jesus Christ

Birthplace

• Bethlehem

Holy Book

• Bible

Parts of the Bible

1. Old Testament
2. New Testament

Major Branches

Catholic Church

• Largest Christian denomination.
• Head: Pope.
• Headquarters: Vatican City.

Protestant Church

• Began during the Reformation Movement.
• Led by Martin Luther in the 16th century.
• Opposed several practices of the Catholic Church.

Major Festivals

• Christmas
• Good Friday
• Easter

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