Indian Philosophy

Atman refers to the individual soul or self in Indian philosophy. It is considered the essential, unchanging, and immortal aspect of a person that transcends the physical body and continues through the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.

The Charvaka school of Indian philosophy, founded by Brihaspati, emphasizes the importance of empirical observation and experimentation in acquiring knowledge. It rejects the authority of the Vedas and religious texts, advocating for a materialistic and hedonistic approach to life.

Maya is a concept in Indian philosophy that refers to the illusion or the veil of ignorance that obscures the true nature of reality. It is often associated with the phenomenal world, which is perceived as impermanent and deceptive, concealing the underlying unity and oneness of all existence.

Dharma is a central concept in Indian philosophy that encompasses ethical conduct, social responsibility, and moral obligations. It refers to the righteous path or duty that individuals must follow to maintain harmony and order in society and achieve spiritual liberation.

The Vaisheshika school, founded by Kanada, posits six categories of reality: substance, quality, action, universality, particularity, and inherence. These categories are used to analyze and explain the nature of the physical world and the relationship between objects and their properties.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.