General characteristics of Indian philosophy
Common concerns
The various Indian philosophies contain such a diversity of views, theories, and systems that it is almost impossible to single out characteristics that are common to all of them. Acceptance of the authority of the Vedas characterizes all the orthodox (astika) systems—but not the unorthodox (nastika) systems, such as Charvaka (radical materialism), Buddhism, and Jainism. Moreover, even when philosophers professed allegiance to the Vedas, their allegiance did little to fetter the freedom of their speculative ventures. On the contrary, the acceptance of the authority of the Vedas was a convenient ... (100 of 28,692 words)
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The Hindu deity Krishna, an avatar of Vishnu, mounted on a horse pulling Arjuna, hero of the epic poem Mahabharata; 17th-century illustration.
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Vishnu with his 10 avatars (incarnations): Fish, Tortoise, Boar, Man-Lion, Dwarf, Rama with the Ax, King Rama, Krishna, Buddha, and Kalki. Painting from Jaipur, India, 19th century; in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.
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Devotees worshipping at a stupa, the monument that symbolizes the Buddha’s parinirvana, or final transcendence, detail of a Bharhut stupa railing, mid-2nd century bce; in the Indian Museum, Kolkata.
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The Buddha preaching, relief from Gandhara, schist, c. 2nd century ce; in the Prince of Wales Museum of Western India, Mumbai.
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The astamangalas, or eight auspicious Jaina symbols, seen above and below the seated image of the Jina (saviour), miniature from the Kalpa-sutra, 15th century; in the Freer Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.