Ancient

Eastern Philosophy
On the Ancient Wisdom of Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism & Confucianism

The most important characteristic of the Eastern world view - one could almost say
the essence of it - is the awareness of the unity and mutual interrelation of all things
and events, the experience of all phenomena in the world as manifestations of a basic
oneness. (Fritjof Capra)The most important characteristic of the Eastern world view -
one could almost say the essence of it - is the awareness of the unity and mutual
interrelation of all things and events, the experience of all phenomena in the world as
manifestations of a basic oneness. All things are seen as interdependent and
inseparable parts of this cosmic whole; as different manifestations of the same
ultimate reality.
(Fritjof Capra,The Tao of Physics)

According to ancient Indian tradition the Universe reveals itself in two fundamental
properties: as Motion and as that in which motion takes place, namely Space. This
Space is called Akasa. (Lama Govinda)The fundamental element of the cosmos is
Space. Space is the all-embracing principle of higher unity. Nothing can exist without
Space. .. According to ancient Indian tradition the Universe reveals itself in two
fundamental properties: as Motion and as that in which motion takes place, namely
Space. This Space is called Akasa .. derived from the root kas, 'to radiate, to shine', and
has therefore the meaning of ether which is conceived as the medium of movement.
The principle of movement, however, is Prana, the breath of life, the all-powerful, all-
pervading rhythm of the universe. (Lama Anagarika Govinda, 1969)

Buddhism
On the Life of Buddha, Buddhist Thought & Practice

Buddha - Buddhism ReligionBuddhism is a moral philosophy / religion based upon
the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama (566 - 486 B.C.).
Siddhartha Gautama became known as the Buddha. 'Buddha' (from the ancient Indian
languages of Pali and Sanskrit) 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 dustless and stainless Eye of Truth (Dhamma-cakkhu) has arisen.
He has seen Truth, has attained Truth, has known Truth, has penetrated into Truth,
has crossed over doubt, is without wavering.

Thus with right wisdom he sees it as it is (yatha bhutam) ... The Absolute Truth is
Nibbana, which is Reality. (Buddha, from the Dhatuvibhanga-sutta (No. 140) of the
Majjhima-nikaya)

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:

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 TruthsDukkha: 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).

The following quotes (from Buddha and others) express some of the main ideas of
Buddhism;

I will teach you the Truth and the Path leading to the Truth. (Buddha)I will teach you
the Truth and the Path leading to the Truth. (Buddha)

It is proper for you to doubt .. do not go upon report .. do not go upon tradition..do not
go upon hearsay..' (Buddha, Kalama Sutra)

O Brahmana, it is just like a mountain river, flowing far and swift, taking everything
along with it; there is no moment, no instant, no second when it stops flowing, but it
goes on flowing and continuing. So Brahmana, is human life, like a mountain river.
(Buddha)

Wherefore, brethren, thus must ye train yourselves : Liberation of the will through
love will develop, we will often practice it, we will make it vehicle and base, take our
stand upon it, store it up, thoroughly set it going. (Buddha)

From The Dhammapada;
By endeavour, diligence, discipline and self-mastery, let the wise person make (of
himself) an island that no flood can overwhelm. (Buddha)Not to do any evil, to
cultivate the good, to purify ones mind, this is the Teaching of the Buddhas.

To speak no ill will, to do no harm, to practice self-restraint according to the

fundamental precepts, to be moderate in eating, to live in seclusion, to devote oneself
to higher consciousness, this is the Teaching of the Buddhas.

By endeavour, diligence, discipline and self-mastery, let the wise person make (of
himself) an island that no flood can overwhelm.

All (mental) states have mind as their forerunner, mind is their chief, and they are
mind-made. If one speaks or acts with a defiled mind, then suffering follows ..

Hatred is never appeased by hatred in this world; it is appeased by love. This is an
eternal Law.

Hard to restrain, unstable is this mind; it flits wherever it lists. Good is it to control the
mind. A controlled mind brings happiness.

'All conditioned things are impermanent, when one sees this in wisdom, then one
becomes dispassionate towards the painful. This is the Path to Purity.

For the first time in the history of the world, Buddhism proclaimed a salvation which
each individual could gain from him or herself, in this world, during this life, without
any least reference to God, or to gods either great or small. (Aldous Huxley on
Buddhism)Buddhism recognizes that humans have a measure of freedom of moral
choice, and Buddhist practice has essentially to do with acquiring the freedom to
choose as one ought to choose with truth: that is of acquiring a freedom from the
passions and desires that impel us to distraction and poor decisions. (Walpola Rahula,
What the Buddha Taught)

Buddhism stands unique in the history of human thought in denying the existence of
such a Soul, Self, or Atman. According to the teaching of the Buddha, the idea of self is
imaginary, false belief which has no corresponding reality, and it produces harmful
thoughts of me and mine, selfish desire, craving, attachment, hatred, ill-will, conceit,
pride, egoism, and other defilements, impurities and problems. It is the source of all
the troubles in the world from personal conflicts to wars between nations. (Rahula)

The theory of karma is the theory of cause and effect, of action and reaction; it is a
natural law, which has nothing to do with the idea of justice or reward and
punishment. Every volitional action produces its effects or results. If a good action
produces good effects, it is not justice, or reward, meted out by anybody or any power
sitting in judgement of your action, but this is in virtue of its own nature, its own law.
(Rahula)

For the first time in the history of the world, Buddhism proclaimed a salvation which
each individual could gain from him or herself, in this world, during this life, without
any least reference to God, or to gods either great or small. (Aldous Huxley)

See our webpage Buddha Nirvana / Buddhism Religion for more pictures, information
and quotes on Karma, Truth, the Dynamic Unity of Reality, Buddha's conception of
Mind and Matter, The Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, Anatta (No Soul) and
Conditioned Genesis (Paticca-samuppada).

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

Aum is the sacred symbol of Hinduism. Its contains a deep symbolic message; which is
considered as divine primordial vibration of the Universe which represents all
existence, encompassing all of nature into the One Ultimate Reality.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.

The following mantra and quotes express the aspirations of Hinduism religion;

Though One, Brahman is the cause of the many. Brahman is the unborn (aja) in whom
all existing things abide. The One manifests as the many, the formless putting on
forms. (Rig Veda)OM Asato ma sadgamaya, tamaso ma jyotirgamaya, mrityor
mamritam gamaya
" OM Lead me from falsehood to truth, from darkness to light, from death to
immortality."

Though One, Brahman is the cause of the many.
Brahman is the unborn (aja) in whom all existing things abide. The One manifests as
the many, the formless putting on forms. (Rig Veda)

Behold but One in all things; it is the second that leads you astray. (Kabir)

The word Brahman means growth and is suggestive of life, motion, progress.
(Radhakrishnan)

Hindu cosmology is non-dualistic. Everything that is is Brahman. Brahman is the
eternal Now, and in eternity there is no before or after, for everything is everywhere,

always. To use the words of Pascal 'it is a circle the center of which is everywhere and
the circumference nowhere.' (Sudhakar S.D, 1988)

In Hinduism, Shiva the Cosmic Dancer, is perhaps the most perfect personification of
the dynamic universe. Through his dance, Shiva sustains the manifold phenomena in
the world, unifying all things by immersing them in his rhythm and making them
participate in the dance - a magnificent image of the dynamic unity of the Universe.
(Capra, The Tao of Physics)In Indian philosophy, the main terms used by Hindus and
Buddhists have dynamic connotations. The word Brahman is derived from the
Sanskrit root brih - to grow- and thus suggests a reality which is dynamic and alive.
The Upanishads refer to Brahman as 'this unformed, immortal, moving', thus
associating it with motion even though it transcends all forms.' The Rig Veda uses
another term to express the dynamic character of the universe, the term Rita. This
word comes from the root ri- to move. In its phenomenal aspect, the cosmic One is
thus intrinsically dynamic, and the apprehension of its dynamic nature is basic to all
schools of Eastern mysticism.
They all emphasize that the universe has to be grasped dynamically, as it moves,
vibrates and dances. ..The Eastern mystics see the universe as an inseparable web,
whose interconnections are dynamic and not static. The cosmic web is alive; it moves
and grows and changes continually. (Fritjof Capra, 1972.)

In Hinduism, Shiva the Cosmic Dancer, is perhaps the most perfect personification of
the dynamic universe. Through his dance, Shiva sustains the manifold phenomena in
the world, unifying all things by immersing them in his rhythm and making them
participate in the dance - a magnificent image of the dynamic unity of the Universe.
(Capra, The Tao of Physics)

For a more detailed explanation of the Metaphysics of Hinduism and the Wave
Structure of Matter, see the webpage Hinduism / Hindu Gods

Taoism
Way of the Tao, Lao Tzu

(Lao Tzu) 'The Tao that can be expressed is not the eternal Tao'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. Some people believe Lao Tzu is a mythical character. State support

of Taoism ended in 1911 with the end of the Ch'ing Dynasty and much Taoist heritage
was destroyed.

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.

The following quotes (attributed to Lao Tzu) help us understand the nature of the
Tao;

If people do not revere the Law of Nature, It will inexorably and adversely affect them
If they accept it with knowledge and reverence, It will accommodate them with
balance and harmony.

Being one with nature, the sage is in accord with 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.
One may think of it as the mother of all beneath Heaven.
We do not know its name, but we call it Tao.
Deep and still, it seems to have existed forever.

The Great Tao flows everywhere.
It may go left or right.
All things depend on it for life, and it does not turn away from them.
It accomplishes its tasks, but does not claim credit for it.
It clothes and feeds all things, but does not claim to be master over them.
Always without desires, it may be called the Small.
All things come to it and it does not master them;
it may be called The Great.

If people do not revere the Law of Nature, It will inexorably and adversely affect them.
(Lao Tzu, Tao)The Tao that can be told of is not the eternal Tao;
the name that can be named is not the eternal name.

Hold on to the Tao of old in order to master the things of the present.

Being one with Nature, he is in accord with the Tao.
Being in accord with the Tao, he is everlasting.

Whether it is big or small, many or few, repay hatred with virtue.


Manifest plainness, Embrace simplicity, Reduce selfishness, Have few desires.

Be still like a mountain and flow like a great river. (Lao Tzu)

See our webpage Taoism / Philosophy of the Tao for more quotes, information,
history and pictures.

Confucianism
On the Life of Confucius & the Philosophy of Confucianism

Confucianism is an ethical and philosophical system based upon the teachings of the
Chinese sage, Confucius.

Hold faithfulness and sincerity as first principles. (Confucius, The Analects)Confucius
was a famous thinker and social philosopher of China, whose teachings have deeply
influenced East Asia for centuries. Living in the Spring and Autumn period (a time
when feudal states fought against each other), he was convinced of his ability to
restore the world's order, though failed. After much travelling around China to
promote his ideas among rulers, he eventually became involved in teaching disciples.
His philosophy emphasized personal and governmental morality, correctness of social
relationships, and justice and sincerity. Used since then as the imperial orthodoxy,
Confucius' thoughts have been developed into a vast and complete philosophical
system known in the west as Confucianism.

The Analects is a short collection of his discussions with disciples, compiled
posthumously. These contain an overview of his teachings. Confucius presents himself
as a transmitter who invented nothing and his greatest emphasis may be on study, the
Chinese character that opens the book. In this respect, he is seen by Chinese people as
the Greatest Master. Far from trying to build a systematic theory of life and society, he
wanted his disciples to think deeply for themselves and relentlessly study the outside
world. For almost two thousand years, Analects had also been the fundamental course
of study for any Chinese scholar, for a man was not considered morally upright or
enlightened if he did not study Confucius' works.

Based upon http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confucius

The following quotes from The Analects demonstrate the simplicity and wisdom of
Confucianism;

Men's natures are alike, it is their habits that carry them far apart. (Confucius) Hold
faithfulness and sincerity as first principles.

I am not one who was born in the possession of knowledge; I am one who is fond of
antiquity, and earnest in seeking it there.

 Everything has its beauty but not everyone sees it.

Forget injuries, never forget kindnesses.

Men's natures are alike, it is their habits that carry them far apart.

Respect yourself and others will respect you.

Study the past if you would define the future.

To see what is right, and not to do it, is want of courage or of principle.

What the superior man seeks is in himself; what the small man seeks is in others.

When anger rises, think of the consequences. (Confucius) When anger rises, think of
the consequences.

When we see men of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine
ourselves.

Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart.

They must often change who would be constant in happiness or wisdom.

Fine words and an insinuating appearance are seldom associated with true virtue.

Have no friends not equal to yourself.

If a man takes no thought about what is distant, he will find sorrow near at hand.