Seven Systems of Indian Philosophy

A concise and thorough outline of the major schools of Indian philosophy in a manner both highly accurate and easily understandable. Pandit Tigunait skillfully provides an overview that is in accord with the strict standards of tradition and scholarship. He systematically explains for the novice Western student. The systems reviewed are Buddhism, Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Sankhya, Yoga, Mimamsa, and Vedanta. From the Forward The search and love for knowledge are as intrinsic to human nature as the drives for self-preservation and social interaction. From the time we first wonder at the colors and sounds about us to the moment we finally confront eternity with out last breaths, we are occupied with the pursuit of understanding our environment, ourselves, and the nature of whatever reality may exist beyond. People essentially want to know, and the basic question of life– why, who, whence, whither, and how — tease even the staunchest materialist in the quiet moments of awe or the times of pressing injustice. To answer these questions, there have evolved two great philosophies, which are usually designated by the geographical division of East and West. The modern Western approach address the problem from an objective, theoretical, and pluralistic standpoint, whereas the ancient Eastern approach is more subjective, experiential, and holistic. The West looks outward to external data, and the Easter turns inward to internal experience; one method is based primarily on dialectics and discursive deductive spectulation while the other is based on introspection and direct intuitive insight. Although many scholarly descriptions of Indian philosophy are available to clarify the philosophical models and explain the details of each school, the bast bulk of the subject matter and its precise intricacies are nonethelessdifficult to assimilate. Inresponse to this problem, the present text provides a concise yet comprehensive basic outline of the major systems of Indian philosophy in a manner that is highly accurate and yet easily understandable. Sanskrit terms are provicded for academic purposes, but one need not have any prior understandin gof the field to comprehend the basic outlooks and tenets described in each school of philosophy. –Arpita, PhD