Traditionally, there are six Indian philosophies or metaphysical systems, called darshanas or "Visions (of reality)". Each is based on a particular seminal text, or sutra, compiled in the centuries immediately before and after the time of Christ. In the spirit of Indian syncretism these are considered complimentary rather than contradictory, but the critical reader will notice obvious divergences and contradictions as regards their conception of the soul and the Absolute reality. All however share two axiomatic assumptions:
These twin themes, which first appear in the Upanishads, are also shared by the "heterodox" religions of Buddhism and Jainism.
The six darshanas are:
Indian
Philosophy - good overall intro
The
Rise Of The Indian Schools Of Philosophy
The
Appeal of Eastern Thought
Eastern
and Western Philosophy
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page revised 9 November 1998
and again 29 & 30 June 1999