EASTERN PHILOSOPHY

ARABIA & ISLAM

• ISLAM is the greatest

contribution of Arabia
to world civilization.
• It literally means
submission to God.
• Followers of Islam are
known as Muslims,
and based their faith in
the sacred scripture
known as Koran.
Five Pillars:

1. Shahadah- Profession of
faith in one God who is Allah,
and acceptance of Muhammad
as God’s messenger and final
prophet.

2. Salah- obligatory prayers

performed five times a day
facing the direction of Mecca.

3. Zakah- alms- giving to the

poor.
FIVE PILLARS

4. Sawm- Fasting during

month of Ramadan.

5. Hajj- once in a
lifetime Pilgrimage to
Mecca.
TWO SECTS OF MUSLIMS

Sunni- the Muslims who

chose Abu Bakr to
succeed Muhammad.

Shiite- Muslim followers

who chose Ali Talib as
rightful successor
HINDUS OF INDIA

CASTE SYSTEM- a social stratification in

Hindu society. Characteristics are:

Rigid Class Division

Ascribed Soc Status

Endogamy

Social Immobility
SOCIAL CLASSES / VARNA

Brahmin- mouth

Kshatriyas- chest

Vaishyas-legs

Shudras- feet

Dalit- untouchables
INDIAN LITERATURE
Vedas- sacred text of Hindu’s

Brahmanas- commentaries on Vedas

Aranyakas- philosophical doctrine and

mystic meaning of the text of the
Vedas

Upanishads- speculative thinking on

the part of sages

Vedangas- contains the proper

recitation, sacrificial use of Vedas.
HINDU RELIGION
BRAHMA VISHNU SHIVA

ATMAN MAYA

LIFE’S PRINCIPLES
1. Dharma
2. Artha- Economic Gain
3. Kama- Pleasure
4. Moksha- liberation from “samsara”
BUDDHIST RELIGION
4 Noble Truths
Suffering Exists

Suffering is cause by
worldly desires

Suffering ends when

worldly desires cease

Suffering ends by
following eightfold path
Buddhism is not a religion, but a
way of life.

Eightfold Path
1. Right Attitude
2. Right Thought
3. Right Speech
4. Right Action
5. Right Livelihood
6. Right Endeavor
7. Right Focus
8. Right Contemplation
REINCARNATION vs. REBIRTH

• REINCARNATION- is transmigration of
soul, repreated cycle of birth and
death, until the soul unified with
Supreme Being.
• REBIRTH- continuity of streaming
consciousness. Death is nothing but
temporary end of temporary episode.
DIVISIONS OF BUDDHISM

MAHAYANA.
Buddhism practice
base on the guidance
and help of
‘bodhissatvas’

HINAYA/THERAVADA.
Practice by personal
devotion through
monastic living.