( Jainism and Cārvāka)

Indian Philosophy

It is dealing with Upnishads, Later Vedic Period, developing and evolving over 2 millennia's. There are two types of Schools first is Orthodox (astika) or non-orthodox (nastika), if Veda is an infallible source of knowledge or not.

Six orthodox schools: Nyaya, Veisesika, Samkhya, Yoga, Purva mimansa and Vedanta (also called as Uttar mimansa). The Heterodox are Jain, Buddhist and materialist (Cārvāka).

Then various schools have perished, but some have survived are: Jainism, Buddhism, Shavia and Advaita (part of Vedanta only), while Samkhya and Ajivika did not survived. "Philosopher" is dārśanika, familiar with the systems of philosophyor darśanas. 

Religious Movements: Superiority of the Brahamins and Vedic rituals became very complicated. Most of literature was written in Sanskrit and it was language of elites and out of understanding of common people. Caste system became extremely rigid, no changes of profession was allowed. Animal killing was prevailing during rituals, they were source of livelihood.

So, people started agitating and they wanted different religions for themselves.

JAINISM

Mahavira is not the founder of Jainism, he is reformer of Jainism. It is founder by first Tirthankar Adinath or Rishabhdev.

• Jina (that is a route what of Jain means conqueror), Mahavira was born in 540 BC at Kundalgram, Vaishali (in Bihar).
• In around 468 BC he got Nirvana, so he is also called as Vardhmana (prosperity).
• He was the last (24th) Tirthankar.

At the age of the 30 years he left the home in pursuit of spiritual awakening (Diksha). For 12 and a half years he roamed here and there and in intense meditation and severe extreme penance. It means he does not took anything except bare minimum what he required like food, water etc. Finally he got Kevala Jnana or Enlightenment in Jainism under the Sal tree on the River Rijupalika in Jimbhikagram. Then Vardhman became Arihant (Worthy), Mahavir (Courageous), Tirthankar (Path Finder), Nirgranth (Free from bonds), Jina (Conqueror of hi desires).

For 30 years he taught his philosophy which is based on ahimsa, satya, asteya, brahmacharya and aparigraha. He attained Nirvana at the age of 72 in Pawapuri, Rajgriha.

Doctrines (Panchmahavrata)

• Ahimsa Mahavrata: Don't commit violence, walk, talk and eat carefully.
• Satya Mahavrata: Don't tell a lie, think before you speak, don't speak in anger.
• Asteya Mahavrata: Don't steal.
• Aparigraha Mahavrata: Don't acquire property.
• Brahamcharya Mahavrata: Don't talk, see or think about any women, don't where there are women, take simple food.

Important Jainism Philosophy - Anekantavad aka Syadvada

Most important and fundamental Doctrines of Jainism. It talks about Pluralism, multiplicity of viewpoints, the notion that truth and reality are perceived differently from diverse points of view, and that no single point of view is the complete truth. Gautam Buddha gave Pratitya Samutpada i.e. there is a reason behind everything.

Mahavir rejected authority of Vedas and Vedic rituals and didn't believe in existence of God.

Man is architect of his own destiny.

Tirthankars (path finders): Total 24, Adinath/Rishab Dev (1st) , Ajeetnath (2nd), Naminath (21st), Aristanemi (22nd), Paravnath (23rd), Mahavir Swami 24th and the last Tirthankar (Lion Symbol).

Two Jain Councils:-

1. Patliputra, 300 BC (in Patna, Bihar). It was under Sthool Bhadra (Name of President), teaching or compiled in Angas.

2. Vallabhi (in Gujarat), 512 AD, It relate to division of Jainism into two.

• First was Digambar (Didn't wear cloths). They believed in old teachings of Mahavir and most prevalent in South India.
• Second is Svetambar (Wear white cloths), tey can change or modify religious rules and it was prevalent in Magadh areas and North India.

Cārvāka / Lokayata

Charvaka (sweet talkers), Lokayata (Prevalent in the world). It is mainly related to Materialism, philosophical scepticism and religious indifference. It is Atheistic schools of thought and 3rd and last Hetrodox (Nastika, other two are Jainism & Buddhism). Most important principal: Rejection of inference as a means to establish metaphysical truths.

They believe in: No soul, no consciousness, no god. Karma and Artha only, Dharma and Moksha concepts are beyond Charvaka philosophy. This human body is meant for sensual pleasure, enjoy as much as possible and avoid pain. Cārvāka rejected religious coneptions like  reincarnation, afterlife, rituals, rites.

They are extremely critical of the Vedas and thought that Vedas suffered from three faults - Untruth, Self-contradiction and tautology (saying same thing twice in different world), and even if you have to borrow to enjoy, do it.