Ancient Philosophy

• Eastern Philosophy refers very broadly to the various philosophies of Asia. Notable among these are:
Indian Philosophy Korean Philosophy
Chinese Philosophy Japanese Philosophy

• The term sometimes also includes Middle Eastern traditions of philosophical thought, including:
Persian Philosophy Babylonian Philosophy
Arabic Philosophy Jewish Philosophy

• Ancient Babylonian philosophy can be considered Eastern in some ways, but it almost certainly had a
strong influence on Greek, particularly Hellenistic, philosophy. It can be argued
that Persian, Arabic and Jewish philosophies are much closer in nature to Western philosophy than
Eastern, and the geographical and historical links are much closer.

Buddhism
On the Life of Buddha, Buddhist Thought & Practice
• Buddhism is a moral philosophy / religion based upon the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama (566 - 486
B.C.). Siddhartha Gautama became known as the Buddha. 'Buddha' means "one who has awakened". It is
derived from the verbal root "budh", meaning "to awaken" or "to be enlightened", and "to comprehend".
• The Buddha offered metaphysical knowledge into the nature of reality as well as a moral way of life. The
Middle Way is an important idea in Buddhist thought and practice. To seek moderation and avoid the
extremes of self-indulgence and self-mortification.
• At the age of 35, meditating under a Bodhi tree, Siddhartha reached Enlightenment, awakening to the
true nature of reality, which is Nirvana (Absolute Truth);
• The Buddha taught that the nature of reality was impermanent and interconnected. We suffer in life
because of our desire to transient things. Liberation from suffering may come by training the mind and
acting according to the laws of karma (cause and effect) i.e. with right action, good things will come to
you. This teaching is known as the Four Noble Truths:
• Dukkha: Suffering is everywhere
Samudaya: There is a cause of suffering, which is attachment or misplaced desire (tanha) rooted in
ignorance.
Nirodha: There is an end of suffering, which is Nirvana (the possibility of liberation exists for everyone).
Maggo: There is a path that leads out of suffering, known as the Noble Eightfold Path (right view, right
thought, right speech, right conduct, right vocation, right effort, right attention and right concentration).

Hinduism
On the Metaphysics & Philosophy of Hinduism Beliefs & Hindu Gods
All is One (Brahman)

• The first collection of Indian philosophy that was written down was the Vedas. The word 'Veda' comes
from the Sanskrit vid, meaning knowledge - the Vedas are 'sacred knowledge'. Their exact date is
controversial, it is possible that the knowledge dates back 10,000 years BC, and were first written around
3,000 BC.
• The metaphysical foundation of Hinduism, which is expressed in both the Vedas and the Upanishads is
that Reality (Brahman) is One or Absolute, changeless, perfect and eternal. The ordinary human world of
many separate and discrete (finite) things (which our mind represents by our senses) is an illusion.
Through meditation and purity of mind, one can experience their true Self which is Brahman, God, the
One infinite eternal thing which causes and connects the many things. True enlightenment is Self-
realisation, to experience the supreme reality as Self.
Taoism
Way of the Tao, Lao Tzu

• There is a thing, formless yet complete. Before heaven and earth it existed. Without sound, without
substance, it stands alone and unchanging. It is all-pervading and unfailing. We do not know its name, but
we call it Tao. .. Being one with nature, the sage is in accord with the Tao. (Lao Tzu)
• Taoism is one of the great religions / philosophies of Ancient China (along with Buddhism and
Confucianism).
In 440 B.C. Taoism was adopted as a state religion of China, with Lao Tzu (so called founder of Taoism)
honoured as a deity. Lao Tzu was a contemporary of Confucius and wrote a book called the Tao te Ching,
composed some time between the sixth and third centuries B.C. Tao (pronounced 'Dao') can be defined as
'path', or 'road'. The way of the Tao is the way of Nature and of ultimate reality. Tao is often described as
a force that flows through all life. A happy and virtuous life is one that is in harmony with the Tao, with
Nature.
The philosophy of Taoism understands Tao as the One Thing which exists and connects the Many things.
Tao, Nature, Reality are One.