Post on 22-Jan-2018
PRE BUDDHIST PHILOSOPHICAL
TEACHINGS ON
EPISTEMOLOGY
Ven.Dangaswewa Vajira Thero
Subject –BUPH-22043
Year- Second Year
BHIKSU UNIVERSITY OF
SRILANKA
OUTLINES
Concept of Pre Buddhism
Social status quo of pre Buddhism
Philosophical teachings &
Epistemology
Conclusion
references
CONCEPT OF PRE BUDDHISM
Indus valley civilization.(Mohejo daro-
harappa)
People who have been living in this area are
not derived from any civilization
Later the ARYANS ,men came from middle
east countries, came and invaded .
None aryans followed their religious life with
concepts of Ascetic life style
Aryans followed the way of God concept
RELIGIOUS STATUS BETWEEN ARYANS & NONE
ARYANS
Characteristic Indus Valley Aryans
Religious practice Meditation Sacrifice (to the gods)
Main practitioner Ascetic Priest
Purpose of life Liberation This life, then heaven
Focus in life Renunciation Rebirth as householder
Morals based on Karma Social values
Social position Equality Caste (Brahmanic)
Origin of Wisdom Own (meditation)
experience
Scriptures like Vedas
SOCIAL STATUS QUO OF PRE BUDDHISM
THE INDUS VALLEY CIVILISATION
People of the Indus Valley Civilization ,called Harappa Civilization after the major cityof Harappa, were mainly farmers, although recent finds are indicating a welldeveloped culture. Eminent scholars have concluded that the origins of the practicesof yoga and meditation can be traced to the Indus Valley civilization. An image of ahuman figure has been found that is seated in a cross-legged posture, hands restingon the knees and eyes narrowed ,clearly suggesting meditation. Also, the wanderingascetic is frequently mentioned. These ascetics are said to have practiced methodsof mind training, to have been celibate, naked or clothed in the most meager ofgarments, to have had no fixed abode, and to have taught a way beyond birth anddeath.
Civilization was very advanced, both materially and spiritually.
THE ARYANS
According to most scholars, the
original Indus Valley civilization
was abruptly interrupted
sometime between 1800 and
1500 BCE by an invasion of the
Aryans ,people from a region
somewhere in Eastern Europe.
They were warriors and traders,
as opposed to the original
population of farmers. After the
middle of the second millennium
BCE, Indian society became
largely dominated by Aryan
values. Many of the Aryan
principles still dominate
"orthodox Indian philosophy" and
present-day Hinduism; such as
the importance of the Vedic
scriptures and the supremacy of
the Brahmic class ,origins of the
caste-system.
PHILOSOPHICAL TEACHINGS & EPISTEMOLOGY
Indus valley The religion of the Indus Valley civilization evidently
contained several important elements. meditation, or the practice of training the mind,
the practice of renunciation, abandoning household life and living the life of a homeless ascetic, or mendicant
conception of rebirth or reincarnation occurring over the course of a countless number of lives,
a sense of moral responsibility extending beyond this life, some form of the conception of karma.
paramount goal of religious life, namely, the goal of liberation, of freedom from the endless cycle of birth and death.
Aryans Their origins lay in Eastern Europe, and their
religion in many ways resembled that of the ancient Greeks, Greek pantheon
Aryans revered a number of gods who were personifications of natural phenomena, including
Indra (not unlike Zeus), the god of thunder lightning;
Agni, the god of fire,
Varuna, the god of water
while the religion of the Indus Valley civilizationstressed renunciation, meditation, rebirth, karma,and the final goal of liberation, the Aryan religionstressed this life, ritual sacrifice, loyalty, wealth,progeny, power, and heaven. Thus it is clear thatthe sets of religious attitudes, practices, and valuesprofessed by these two ancient civilizations ofIndia were almost diametrically opposed to eachother.
EVIDENCES
Buddha's life. For example, after his birth, two distincttypes of people made predictions about his futuregreatness. The first prophesy was pronounced byAsita, who was a hermit and ascetic living in themountains, although the biographies of the Buddhainsist that Asita was a Brahmin, a member of thepriestly caste of Aryan society.
A little later, we are told that 108 Brahmins wereinvited to the ceremony for bestowing a name on theyoung Buddha. There, they also prophesied the futuregreatness of the child. These men were evidentlypriests who had not renounced household life and whothus represented the original, orthodox practiceaccepted in the Aryan fold.
CONCLUSION
What is pre Buddhist period?
People ,society, economy, politics, during this
era.
Pre Buddhist Process of lifestyle of people in
India.
Religion and epistemology in the
contemporary society .
REFERENCES
Brhmajala sutta,silakkandavagga, diganikaya
http://www.buddhismtoday.com/english/philosophy/thera/001-background.htm (00:03 A.M-02/10/2016)
http://www.viewonbuddhism.org/pre_buddhism_history.html-(00:15A.M-02/10/2016)
https://beingtrulyhuman.org/articles/issues/44/06-pre-buddhist-thought-in-india 00:15A.M-02/10/2016)
THANK YOU