Indian Moral Thinkers

The Buddha

Buddha, also known as Siddhartha Gautama, was a spiritual teacher who lived in ancient India and founded the religion of Buddhism. Buddha’s philosophy is centered around the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, which provide a framework for understanding the nature of suffering and achieving liberation from it.

• The Four Noble Truths:

1. The truth of suffering (dukkha): Life is inherently unsatisfactory and characterized by suffering, which can take many forms, such as physical pain, mental anguish, and emotional distress.
2. The truth of the cause of suffering (samudaya): Suffering arises from craving and attachment, which lead to greed, hatred, and delusion.
3. The truth of the cessation of suffering (nirodha): It is possible to overcome suffering by eliminating its causes, which can be achieved through the practice of the Eightfold Path.
4. The truth of the path leading to the cessation of suffering (magga): The Eightfold Path is the means to achieving liberation from suffering.

• The Eightfold Path:

1. Right understanding: Developing a clear understanding of the Four Noble Truths and the nature of reality.
2. Right intention: Cultivating positive intentions, such as compassion and generosity, and renouncing harmful intentions, such as greed and hatred.
3. Right speech: Using words that are truthful, kind, and beneficial.
4. Right action: Engaging in actions that are ethical, such as refraining from harming others and helping those in need.
5. Right livelihood: Choosing a profession that is honest and does not harm others.
6. Right effort: Making a diligent effort to cultivate positive qualities and eliminate negative ones.
7. Right mindfulness: Developing awareness of one’s thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations. 
8. Right concentration: Cultivating the ability to focus one’s mind and achieve a state of deep concentration.

Buddha’s philosophy emphasizes the importance of compassion, mindfulness, and ethical behavior in achieving liberation from suffering. It teaches that individuals have the power to transform their minds and overcome negative habits and tendencies through the practice of meditation and the cultivation of positive qualities. Ultimately, Buddha’s philosophy provides a path towards greater self-awareness and spiritual growth, and offers a vision of a world characterized by peace, harmony, and compassion.

Chanakya

Chanakya, also known as Kautilya or Vishnugupta, was an ancient Indian statesman, philosopher, and political theorist who lived in the 4th century BCE. He is best known for his seminal work, the Arthashastra, which is a treatise on statecraft, economics, and military strategy. Chanakya’s philosophy is centered around the idea of the welfare of the state or the nation. He believed that the ultimate goal of any state should be to promote the happiness and prosperity of its citizens. His political theories were based on the principles of realism, pragmatism, and Machiavellianism, and he emphasized the importance of diplomacy, espionage, and military strength in achieving political goals.

Some of Chanakya’s key ideas include: 

• The importance of a strong and centralized government that can maintain law and order, provide for the welfare of its citizens, and protect the country from external threats.
• The need for a well-organized and efficient bureaucracy to govern the state and carry out the policies of the ruling government.
• The use of espionage and other covert operations to gather information, undermine the enemy, and protect the state’s interests.
• The importance of a sound economy that is based on agriculture, trade, and industry, and the use of economic policies to promote growth and development.
• The need for a strong military that is well-trained, well-equipped, and disciplined, and the use of military strategies to defend the country and expand its territory.

Adi Shankar

Adi Shankaracharya, also known as Shankara or Shankaracharya, was an 8th century Indian philosopher and theologian who is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the development of Hinduism. He is credited with founding the Advaita Vedanta school of philosophy, which emphasizes the non-dual nature of reality. Shankara’s philosophy is based on the concept of Brahman, which is the ultimate reality or the absolute consciousness that underlies all existence. He argued that the world we experience is an illusion or maya, and that the true nature of reality is beyond our perception and comprehension. He believed that the only way to achieve liberation from the cycle of birth and death was through the realization of Brahman, which requires the practice of self-inquiry and meditation. Some of Shankara’s key ideas include: The concept of Advaita, or non-duality, which holds that there is no ultimate distinction between the individual self (atman) and Brahman. The importance of self-inquiry and meditation as a means of realizing the true nature of reality and achieving liberation. The idea that the Vedas, the ancient Indian texts, are the ultimate authority on spiritual knowledge and that their teachings should be interpreted in a way that supports the Advaita philosophy. The emphasis on the renunciation of worldly desires and attachment as a means of achieving spiritual growth and realization. The concept of maya, or illusion, which refers to the mistaken belief that the world we experience is real and permanent.

Tiruvalluvar

Thiruvalluvar was a Tamil poet and philosopher who is known for his work Thirukkural, a classic Tamil text containing 1,330 couplets on ethics and morality. Here are some of Thiruvalluvar’s ethical ideas:

1. Virtue: Thiruvalluvar believed that virtue, or aram, is the foundation of a good life. He emphasized the importance of values such as honesty, kindness, compassion, humility, and self-control. He believed that cultivating these virtues would lead to inner peace, harmony, and spiritual growth.
2. Justice: Thiruvalluvar believed in the importance of justice and the rule of law. He emphasized the need for fair and impartial judges, and the importance of punishing wrongdoers and protecting the innocent.
3. Ethics and morality: Thiruvalluvar believed that ethics and morality were essential aspects of human life. He emphasized the importance of living a virtuous and ethical life, following the principles of dharma or righteous conduct, and avoiding harmful behavior.
4. Love: Thiruvalluvar believed that love, or inbam, is an essential aspect of human life. He emphasized the importance of cultivating love and compassion towards others, building strong relationships, and fostering a sense of community and social harmony. 
5. Hard work: Thiruvalluvar believed that success and happiness come through hard work, discipline, and perseverance. He emphasized the importance of setting goals and working towards them with determination and dedication. 
6. Wealth: Thiruvalluvar believed that wealth, or porul, should be earned through honest means and used to benefit others. He believed that wealth should not be hoarded or used for selfish purposes but should be shared with others in need.

Guru Nanak

Guru Nanak was a spiritual leader and the founder of Sikhism, a monotheistic religion that originated in the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent in the 15th century. His teachings emphasized the importance of love, compassion, and selfless service to others. 

Philosophy and thoughts

1. On the importance of selfless service: Guru Nanak believed that serving others without expecting anything in return is one of the most important things we can do. He also believed that having a spiritual teacher, or Guru, is essential for finding the right path in life.
2. On the unity of all religions: Guru Nanak believed that all religions teach essentially the same thing - to be a good person and treat others with kindness and respect. He felt that people should focus on the commonalities between religions, rather than the differences.
3. On the importance of treating everyone equally: Guru Nanak believed that everyone is equal and should be treated as such, regardless of their religion, caste, or social status. He felt that people should focus on what makes us all human rather than what makes us different.
4. On the importance of living a virtuous life: Guru Nanak believed that living a good and honest life is the most important thing we can do. He felt that by being kind and loving towards others, we can find God.
5. On the importance of humility: Guru Nanak believed that being humble and recognizing that we are all equal is essential for leading a spiritual life. He felt that by letting go of our ego and focusing on others, we can find true happiness and spiritual fulfillment.

Swami Vivekanand

Swami Vivekananda was a Hindu monk and spiritual leader who lived in India in the late 19th century. He is best known for introducing the ancient wisdom of Indian spirituality to the Western world, and for his emphasis on the unity of all religions. His teachings emphasized the importance of self-realization, service to others, and the power of the mind. Swami Vivekananda was born in 1863 in Calcutta, India, and was originally named Narendra Nath Datta. He was deeply interested in spirituality from a young age, and was greatly influenced by the teachings of his guru, Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. In 1893, Swami Vivekananda traveled to the United States to attend the World’s Parliament of Religions in Chicago. There, he gave a famous speech in which he spoke about the unity of all religions, and his message of universal brotherhood and peace resonated with the audience. After returning to India, Swami Vivekananda founded the Ramakrishna Mission, which was dedicated to serving the poor and needy, and to promoting education and spiritual development. He continued to travel and teach throughout India and the West, and his teachings continue to inspire millions of people around the world to this day. Swami Vivekananda’s legacy is marked by his emphasis on the unity of all religions, his advocacy for service to others, and his belief in the power of the mind to achieve great things. His teachings have inspired countless people to lead lives of purpose, compassion, and spiritual fulfillment.

Rabindranath Tagore

Rabindranath Tagore was a Bengali poet, philosopher, and polymath who lived in India during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was the first non-European to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, which he received in 1913 for his collection of poems, Gitanjali. Tagore was born in 1861 in Calcutta, India, into a family of poets, writers, and artists. He was home-schooled by his elder brother, and later attended University College London, where he studied law for a short time. Tagore began writing poetry at a young age, and his work drew heavily on his experiences of nature and his deep sense of spirituality. His writing was marked by its lyricism, its philosophical depth, and its exploration of the complexities of human relationships. In addition to his poetry, Tagore was also a prolific writer of essays, plays, and novels, and was a key figure in the Indian Renaissance, a movement that sought to revive Indian art, literature, and culture. Tagore was also deeply committed to social and political reform, and was a vocal critic of British colonial rule in India. He founded a school called Shantiniketan, which emphasized a holistic approach to education, and sought to promote cultural exchange and understanding between East and West. Tagore’s legacy is marked by his contributions to Indian literature and culture, as well as his advocacy for peace, social justice, and human rights. His writings continue to inspire people around the world to this day.