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Philosophies of the World:
A Study
INDIAN PHILOSOPHY
Indian philosophy is a synthesis of the two traditions, i. e., the Vedic and the Śramana traditions. The Vedic tradition advocates the authority of the Vedas. It is traditionalistic and rationalistic in
oach. The śramana tradition does not accept the authority of the Vedas. It is empriricist in outlook and analytic in its methodology. It is based upon the experiences of the secis for its fundamental truths and the empirical experiences for the understanding of the phenomenal world.
The Jaina tradition advocates authority of the teachings of the Tirthankaras as presented through the āgamas not because it is the fipal word of the Tirthankara but because of their omniscient experiences which have been transmitted to the disciples and which has been codified through the sūtrāgamas. The Veda-darsana and the teachings of the Upanişads belong to the Vedic tradition. Later systems of philosophy like the Nyāya, Vaiseșika, Sankhya, Yoga; Purvamimärhsā and Vedānta belong to the Vedic tradition. The philosophy of the Vedic tradition is also considered to be orthodox systems of philosophy and are called "āstika darśanas", primarily because they accept the authority of the Vedas and also because they believe in the creator God, and therefore atheistic. Buddhism, Jainism and Cärvāka darsinis belong to the śramanic tradition or avedic tradition (non-vedic).
VEDIC THOUGHT 1.13 The earliest presentation of Indian thought can be traced to the Vedas. The Ķgveda is the earliest document which is supposed to be
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