Indian Philosophy

Indology as a science Pre-Aryan culture: Indus valley civilization Hindu Religious scriptures: Shruthi and Smriti-Smriti: Introduction to Epics, Puranas, Dharmashastras, Vedangas and Purusharthas Introduction to Indian Philosophy: Characteristics of philosophical inquiry The six systems of Indian Philosophy and their common characteristics Indian Materialism Indian Religions: Hinduism , Jainism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Shaivism and Vaishnavism East and West: Similarities and dissimilarities Salient features of Indian Thought Indian Christian Approach to Indology.

Bibliography

Chattetjee, Satishchandra. An Introduction to Indian Philosophy, New Delhi: Rupa Publications India Pvt. Ltd., 2004; Basharn, A.L., The wonder that was India, New Delhi: Rupa Publications India Pvt. Ltd., 1985; Shanna, Chandradhar Shanna, A Critical Survey of Indian Philosophy, Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass publishers Limited, 2003; Hiriyanna, Outline: of Indian Philosophy, Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass publishers Limited, 2000; Saletone, R. N, Encyclopaedia of Indian Culture, 5 vols. New Delhi, Bangalore, Jalandhar, I985.

Fr. John Peter OFM Cap

This course is intended to give the students a comprehensive understanding of the development of Indian Philosophy and Religion from the Vedic time up to the Epic Period. Hence it deals with the following topics:

CHARVAKA : Theory of Reality, Epistemology and Ethics of Charvaka - BUDDHISM: Early Buddhist Literature, Characteristics of Early Buddhism, The Four Noble Truths, Philosophical Implications of the Teachings of the Noble Truths - Pratityasamudpada, Anatmavada, Kshanikavadtnd The Theory of Karma, Ethical Teachings of Buddhism, The Different Schools of Buddhism - JAINISM: Literature, Epistemology, Metaphysics, Jaina Religion and Ethics, Evaluation – NYAYA - VAISESHIKA: Theory of Logic and Epistemology, Metaphysics: Seven Categories, Theory of Causation, Concept of God, Nature and Destiny of the Soul – SANKHYA - YOGA: Theory of Reality, Nature of Prakrti and Purusha, The Evolution of Prakrt, The Proofs for the Existence of Purusha and Prakrti, Satkaryavada, Theory of Causation, The Practical Teaching of Yoga - Ashtanga Yoga of Padanjali, Concept of God - PURVA-MIMAMSA: Epistemology, Supremacy of the Vedas. Metaphysics of the Prabhakara and Kumarila schools of thought, God and Moksha UTTARA -MIMAMSA: or the Vedanta Schools Saiva and Sakta Siddhanta: Literature, Concept of God, Soul and Prakrti, Theory of Malas, Practical Teaching.

Bibliography

Larson, G.J., Encyclopaedia of Indian Philosophies, Vol. 4, Samkhya A Dualist Tradition in Indian Philosophy, Delhi: Motilal Banarasidas, 1987; Sinha, N., The Samkhya Philosphy, Oreintal Books, New Delhi: Munshiram Monoharhal, 1979; Woods, J .H., The Yoga System of Patanjali, Harward Oriental Series, Vol. 17, Delhi: Motilal Banarasidas, 1914; Mueller, M.F., Vedanta Philosophy, Cosmo Publications, Delhi: 1 1985 reprint 1904.

Fr. Shaji OFM

The course here intends to give the students an overall view of the patterns of philosophical and socio- religious thinking in modern and contemporary Indian thought. The socio- politico and religious situation of modern India and their philosophical implications and movements like Brahma Samaj, Arya Samaj, Ramakrishna movement and Sikhism etc are detailed here. The prominent figures discussed are Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Dayananda Saraswathi, Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Swami Vivekananda, Guru Nanak. Contemporary Indian thinkers like Mahatma Gandhi, Sri Aurobindo, Rabindranath Tagore, Sri Narayana Guru, S Radhakrishnan, KC Bhattacharya, Satya Saibaba and Muhammad Iqbal are discussed in detail.

Bibliography

Balasubramanian, R. (ed.), The Builders of Indian Philosophy, New Delhi: Munshiran Manoharlal, 1998; Lal, Basant Kumar, Contemporary Indian Philosophy, New Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 1978; Radhkrishnan, S, Indian Philosophy, Delhi: Oxford University press, 1963; Srivastava, R.S, Contemporary Indian Philosophy, New Delhi: Munshiram Manoharl, 1983.

Fr. Andrew OMI

Tamil literature (Tamil: தமிழ் இலக்கியம்) refers to the literature in the Tamil language. Tamil literature has a rich and long literary tradition spanning more than two thousand years. The oldest extant works show signs of maturity indicating an even longer period of evolution. Contributors to the Tamil literature are mainly from Tamil people from South India, including the land now comprising Tamil Nadu, and the Sri Lankan Tamils from Sri Lanka, as well as the Tamil diaspora. The history of Tamil literature follows the history of Tamil Nadu, closely following the social, political and cultural trends of various periods. From the 6th to 12th century CE, the Tamil devotional poems written by Nayanmars (sages of Shaivism) and Alvars (sages of Vaishnavism), heralded the great Bhakti movement which later engulfed the entire Indian subcontinent. It is during this era that some of the grandest of Tamil literary classics like Kambaramayanam and Periya Puranam were authored and many poets were patronized by the imperial Chola and Pandya empires. The later medieval period saw many assorted minor literary works and also contributions by a few Muslim and European authors.

A revival of Tamil literature took place from the late 19th century when works of religious and philosophical nature were written in a style that made it easier for the common people to enjoy. The modern Tamil literary movement started with Subramania Bharathi, the multifaceted Indian Nationalist poet and author, and was quickly followed up by many who began to utilize the power of literature in influencing the masses. With growth of literacy, Tamil prose began to blossom and mature. Short stories and novels began to appear. Modern Tamil literary criticism also evolved. The popularity of Tamil cinema has also interacted with Tamil literature in some mutually enriching ways.

Fr. John Peter OFM Cap

Introduction - Nivriti and pravitti - Karma yoga and Nishkama karma - Freedom and Determination - Jnana marga, Bhakti marga and theism.

Bibliography

Hiriyanna, Outlines of lndian Philosophy, Delhi: Motilal Banarasidas Publishers Ltd., 2000; Stephen, M., Bhagavad Gita, New York: Three River Press, 2000.

Dr. Bhuvaneshwari