HETERODOX SCHOOLS OF INDIAN PHILOSOPHY- BUDDHISM AND JAINISM

 

2. Heterodox Schools of Indian Philosophy: Buddhist

It is a system of beliefs based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama. Buddhism is a non-theistic philosophy whose tenets are not especially concerned with the existence or non-existence of God. The question of God is largely irrelevant in Buddhism, and it is mainly founded on the rejection of certain orthodox Hindu philosophical concepts (althought it does share some philosophical views with Hinduism, such as belief in karma).

Four Noble Truths in Buddhism are the following.

• There is suffering
• There is a cause of suffering
• There is a cessation of suffering
• There is a way to the cessation of suffering

Buddhists philosophy of life to get ‘Nirvana’ from suffering is based on the following eight principles:

• Right Faith (Samyak Dristi)
• Right Resolve (Samyak Sankalpa)
• Right Speech (Samyak Vakya)
• Right Action (Samyak Karmanta)
• Right Living ( Samyak Ajiva)
• Right Thought (Samyak Smriti)
• Right concentration (Samyak Samadhi)
• Right Effort (Samyak Vyayama)

3. Heterodox Schools of Indian Philosophy: Jainism

Already in existence by 6th century B.C, it was revived by Mahavira, the 24th Jain Tirthankara. According to Jainism, Nirvana or liberation is obtained through three jewels: Right Philosophy, Right Knowledge and Right Conduct (Tri-ratna). Right conduct implies 5 absinences: not to lie, not to steal, not to strive for luxury and not to strive for possessions, not to be unchaste and not to injure (Ahimsa). The central tenets of Jain philosophy were established by Mahavira in the 6th Century B.C., although Jainism as a religion is much older. A basic principle is anekantavada, the idea that reality is perceived differently from different points of view, and that no single point of view is completely true (similar to the Western philosophical doctrine of Subjectivism). According to Jainism, only Kevalis, those who have infinite knowledge, can know the true answer, and that all others would only know a part of the answer.