The Contribution of Indian Philosophy to Global Sustainable Development

Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam is a Sanskrit phrase that translates to 'the world is one family'. It reflects the Indian philosophical belief that all living beings are interconnected and interdependent, and that we should strive to live in harmony with each other and with the natural world.

Ahimsa is a Sanskrit term that means 'non-violence'. It is a central principle in Indian philosophy, particularly in Jainism and Buddhism, which emphasizes the importance of causing no harm to any living being, whether through thought, word, or action.

Vedanta is a school of Indian philosophy that focuses on the Upanishads, the concluding portion of the Vedas. It emphasizes the concept of 'ishvara' or a personal God, who is the creator and sustainer of the universe.

Moksha, also known as liberation or enlightenment, is the ultimate goal of human existence in Indian philosophy. It refers to the state of freedom from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, and the attainment of spiritual liberation.

Dharma-Shastra is a body of ancient Indian texts that deal with religious and ethical duties, including the concept of 'dharma' or righteous conduct. It provides guidelines for ethical living and social harmony.

Karma is a central concept in Indian philosophy, referring to the law of cause and effect. It states that every action, whether physical or mental, has consequences that will eventually return to the individual who performed the action.

Advaita Vedanta, a school of Indian philosophy founded by Adi Shankara, emphasizes the concept of 'maya' or illusion. It states that the world we perceive is an illusion, and that the ultimate reality is Brahman, the universal consciousness.

Dvaita, or dualism, is a school of Indian philosophy that posits the existence of two ultimate realities: Brahman, the universal consciousness, and jiva, the individual soul. It emphasizes the distinction between the self and the world.

Madhyamaka Buddhism, founded by Nagarjuna, emphasizes the concept of 'sunyata' or emptiness. It states that all phenomena are devoid of inherent existence and are interdependent.

Anatta, or non-self, is a central concept in Buddhist philosophy. It refers to the belief that there is no permanent, unchanging self or soul. Instead, the self is seen as a collection of impermanent mental and physical phenomena.

Dvaita Vedanta, founded by Madhvacharya, emphasizes the concept of 'jiva' or the individual soul. It posits that the individual soul is distinct from Brahman, the universal consciousness, and that each soul has its own unique identity.

Gunas are the three fundamental qualities of nature in Samkhya philosophy. They are sattva (goodness, purity), rajas (passion, activity), and tamas (darkness, inertia). These qualities are present in all things and determine their characteristics.

Samkhya philosophy, founded by Kapila, emphasizes the concept of 'prakriti' or nature. It posits that prakriti is the fundamental substance from which all things in the universe are derived.

Purusha is the pure, unchanging consciousness in Samkhya philosophy. It is the opposite of prakriti, which is the material world. Purusha is the witness of all experience and is not affected by the changes in the material world.

Yoga philosophy, founded by Patanjali, emphasizes the concept of 'yoga' or union. It aims to achieve union between the individual soul and the universal consciousness through various practices such as meditation, breath control, and ethical conduct.