Archive | Philosophy

Every philosophical system reflects the contemporary tendencies found in society. Hence to understand a system of philosophy it is necessary to keep an eye on the contemporary circumstances, thought and their actions, re-actions.

From the philosophical and moral point of view, Buddha has adopted middle path. There are two limits which the aspirant should never approach.

Ultimate end of Buddhist philosophy is nirvana which literally means ‘extinguished’. Some people, according  to the origin, interpret it to mean the end of life but this idea is wrong. had it been so, Buddha would not have attained nirvana before his death.

It was in the Sixth Century B.C. that the world saw the light of Asia, that perfect embodiment of knowledge, courage, love and sacrifice whose heart overflowed with purest emotion. On seeing that human life was essentially fraught with misery and pain.

During a walk outside his palace, Siddhartha Gautama came upon an old person, an ill, a dead and a hermit, and was profoundly stirred by the sight where upon he renounced his kingly pleasures and ventured forth in search of truth.

The destruction of Karma particles, the seeds of limitations, is called Nirjara. These particles are the ones already adhering to the self.

The overshadowing of Jiva by pudgals due to Kasayas is termed as Bondage or Bandha Tattva by the Jainas. Mental tendencies are responsible for the bondage of Jiva.

The entrance of Karma sudgalas in the body of Jiva through Yoga is known as ashrava, Yoga is a process of action, speech and mind (Manas).

According to the Jainas, the second element is Ajiva. Ajiva is of five kinds viz., Merit (Dharma), Demerit (Adharma), Ether (Akasa), Matter (Pudgala) and time (Kala).

Jiva is self-illuminated and illuminates other things also. it is eternal and pervades the whole body. It enjoys the fruits of actions and tends to go upwards.

The Jainas define Jiva or Atman as conscious substance. At man in this world is known as Jiva. It has Prana and physical, mental and sensuous powers.

Syadvada or Sapta-bhangi Naya is the most important part of Jaina Logic. Syadvada is neither skepticism, nor agnosticism. In fact, Syadvada is the theory of the relativity of knowledge. Syadvada or Sapta-bhangi Naya is the most important part of Jaina Logic. Syadvada is neither skepticism, nor agnosticism. In fact, Syadvada is the theory of the […]

The word Jainism is derived from ‘Jaina’ which means ‘Conqueror’ – One who has conquered his passions and desires. It is applied to the liberated souls who have conquered passions and desires and karmas and obtained emancipation.

In the fields of both Knowledge and metaphysics, Jaina philosophy is pluralistic and relativistic. Metaphysics is based on knowledge. So it is necessary to understand epistemology as a prelude to understand metaphysics.

The Vedic Literature has been divided into two parts Jnana Kanda and Karma Kanda. Spiritual speculation and prayer form the subject matter of Jnana Kanda and Karma Kanda respectively.

According to Farquhar, ‘There is practically no ethical philosophy within the frontiers of Hindu thinking’. Ethics has not been allotted the paramount pedestal in Indian philosophy.