India

Hinduism is a category of distinct intellectual or philosophical points of view, rather than a rigid,
common set of beliefs.

- with about one billion followers has been called the "oldest religion" in the world and is
traditionally called Sanātana Dharma, "the eternal law" or the "eternal way"; beyond
human origins.

Important Indian philosophical concepts include dharma, karma, samsara, moksha, and ahimsa.
Indian philosophers developed a system of epistemological reasoning (pramana) and logic and
investigated topics such as Ontology, reliable means of knowledge (epistemology), value system
and other topics.

Indian philosophy also covered topics such as political philosophy as seen in the Arthashastra (4th
century BCE) and the philosophy of love as seen in the Kama Sutra. The principal Indian
philosophical schools are classified as either orthodox or heterodox – depending on one of three
alternate criteria: whether it believes the Vedas are a valid source of knowledge; whether the school
believes in the premises of Brahman and Atman; and whether the school believes in afterlife
and Devas- “ heavenly being”

A. ORTHODOX Hinduphilosophy—Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Samkhya, Yoga, Mīmāṃsā and Vedan

ta

Sāmkhya is a dualist orthodox philosophical tradition while the Yoga school was a closely related
tradition emphasizing meditation and liberation whose major text is the Yoga sutras . One of the
main differences between the two closely related schools was that Yoga allowed for the existence of
a God, while most Sāmkhya thinkers criticized this idea.

Nyaya holds that human suffering arises out of ignorance and liberation arises through correct
knowledge.

Vaiśeṣika a naturalist school of atomism, which accepts only two sources of knowledge, perception,
and inference.This philosophy held that the universe was reducible to atoms which are indestructible
indivisible, and have a special kind of dimension, called "small." Whatever we experience is a
composite of these atom.

Mīmāṃsā They primarily held that the purpose of language was to correctly prescribe proper
actions, rituals, and correct dharma (duty or virtue). Mīmāṃsā is also mainly atheistic, holding that
the evidence for the existence of God is insufficient and that the Gods named in the Vedas have no
existence apart from the names, mantras and their power.

B. HETERODOX schools—Jain, Buddhist, Ajivika, Ajñana, and Cārvāka.

 Japanese

Japan's rapid modernization was partly aided by the early study of western science (known
as Rangaku) during the Edo period (1603–1868). Aat the essence of classic Japanese literature and
culture was a sense called mono no aware.
In the Meiji period, the modernist Meirokusha intellectual society promoted European
enlightenment thought. Japanese Buddhist philosophy was influenced by the work of the Kyoto
School which drew from western philosophers (especially German philosophy) and Buddhist
thought.

10 Japanese Philosophies

1. Ikigai

Ikigai is loosely translated as ‘your purpose in life’ from the Japanese ‘iki’ (to live) and
gai (reason). In Western society, success is often defined as winning or losing, having
and not having. The concept of Ikigai is about shifting our mindset and accepting that as
human beings, we’re never always going to be on top, and that’s totally fine.

2. Buddhism

Buddhism is the most ancient of Japanese philosophies. Buddhism originates from the
teachings of Buddha, a teacher who lived in northern India between the mid-4th and
mid-6th centuries. Buddhism teaches many different concepts, but some of the main
ones include:

 Impermanence (that the human body goes through many states and that nothing is
forever)
 Dependent co-origination (that all events are linked in some way and that everyone
must go through suffering)
 Emptiness or ‘sunyata’ (that everything originates from nothing).

3. Confucianism

The main principles of Confucianism are humanity, loyalty morality and consideration,
as well as placing a heavy emphasis on mercy, social order and the fulfillment of
responsibilities.
The main part of Confucianism is known as ‘ren’, meaning to show love, mercy and
humanity towards all living things. Confucianism also teaches that the family unit is the
centre of life and should always come before an individual. So if you’re wanting to
embrace some Confucianist values in your life, take a bit more time to love, care for and
cherish your family.

4. The concept of ‘nothingness’

In Western philosophy, we usually analyse what it means to be, do, exist, or think.
However in Japanese philosophy, they’re more interested in the concept of
nothingness. The Japanese see the concept of nothingness as a very positive
thing, relating it to being awakened or enlightened.

5. The Way of Tea

Tea ceremonies are very important in Japanese culture, and the ‘Way of Tea’ is all
about balancing the concepts of conversations, traditions and learning. The Way of Tea
is about sharing knowledge with fellow humans, and is regarded by the Japanese
almost as a spiritual practice.The four principles of Japanese tea practice are harmony,
respect, purity and tranquility, aiming to awaken the senses and unite the mind and
body.

6. ‘Drunken life, dreamy death’

This philosophical saying basically means how unwise it is to dream your life away, or
spend all your time dreaming about what you could be doing. All this dreaming is often a
distraction from actually achieving things in life. Always dream, but be sure to get to
work taking tangible steps towards your dreams as well.

7. Zazen (sitting meditation)

Zazen relates to the concept of nothingness, and involves regularly meditating so that
you can clear your mind and come back to your true nature.

8. When you listen to somebody, listen to them fully

Japanese philosophy places an emphasis on respecting people by taking the time to

really, truly listen to what they are saying. When you are speaking with someone, give
up all your preconceived ideas and subjective opinions and just listen, observing the
person and just seeing things as they are, rather than judging or deciding that
something is ‘good’ or ‘bad’.

9. One who chases after two hares won’t even catch one!

This piece of Japanese philosophy means that if you’re going after too many things,
then you won’t get any. Take the time to figure out what it is you really want and then
dedicate yourself to achieving this.
10. Itadakimasu

The Japanese people have massive respect for food. Itadakimasu relates to the
Buddhist concept of having respect for all living things, and is a way of thanking the
plants and animals that gave up their lives for the meal.
Korea
Officially the origin of Buddhism in Korea is traced back to the fourth century in the
early Three Kingdoms Period when it was transmitted to Korea by a monk from
Former Qin dynasty in China.
Juche, usually translated as "self-reliance", is the official political ideology of North
Korea, described by the regime as Kim Il-Sung's "original, brilliant and revolutionary
contribution to national and international thought."[The idea states that an individual is
"the master of his destiny and that the North Korean masses are to act as the "masters
of the revolution and construction"
Vietnam

Includes both traditional Confucian philosophy, Vietnamese local religious

traditions, Buddhist philosophy and later introducing French, Marxist and other
influences.
Chinese

Top 10 Ancient Chinese Philosophers

1) Confucius

Confucius, who is also famous by the name of Kong Fuzi or Kong Qiu, was a Chinese
philosopher and thinker who lived between 551-479 BCE, during what is known as the
Spring and Autumn Period in ancient China. Confucius’s philosophy placed a strong
emphasis on moral principles, societal harmony, and ethical behavior. He thought that
when people followed a system of values that prioritized morality, loyalty, and respect,
society would prosper.

Confucian philosophy is mostly derived from the compilation of his lectures and
proverbs known as the “Analects” or “Lunyu.” His impact on Chinese society has been
enormous, since Confucianism emerged as the country’s preeminent ethical and social
theory and shaped Chinese education, politics, and culture for centuries.

2) Laozi

Laozi, often referred to as Lao Tzu or Lao-Tze, was a legendary ancient Chinese
philosopher who has been linked with helping to establish Daoism (Taoism).

Daoism’s founding text, “Tao Te Ching is Laozi’s most well-known creation. This classic
work of philosophy and spirituality is composed of poems that explain the idea of the
Dao (Tao) and provide advice on leading a balanced and peaceful existence.

Laozi’s philosophy revolves around the Dao, which is commonly translated as “the
way.”. It is the origin of all things and the way to the highest levels of knowledge and
comprehension.

3) Zhuangzi

Zhuangzi, the primary figure of the Daoist (Taoist) school of thought, was an ancient
Chinese philosopher also known by the names Chuang Tzu and Chuang Chou. He
reportedly lived in China during the 4th and 3rd centuries BCE, during the Warring
States era.

Zhuangzi, like Laozi, is an advocate of Wu Wei, which is loosely translated as “non-

action.” It encourages people to live in harmony with the natural order of things, devoid
of coercion or undue effort, and to let life evolve organically.

4) Mencius

Renowned Chinese philosopher Mencius, often called Mengzi or Meng-tzu, flourished

during the Warring States era (around 372-289 BCE). His philosophy mainly focuses on
the idea that moral virtues must be developed in order to become a really exemplary
person, as well as the inherent goodness of human nature.

Mencius held that morally upright leaders should promote the welfare of their subjects in
order to establish a just system of governance. According to him, a ruler’s legitimacy
rested on the “Mandate of Heaven,” which they risked losing if they did not rule in a just
and charitable manner.

Mencius emphasized the development of moral qualities and the significance of a

government that advances the welfare of the people in his teachings, which helped to
further develop and popularize Confucian ethics. His theories had a profound effect on
Chinese civilization, influencing Confucian philosophy as well as political philosophy and
Chinese government for centuries.

5) Mozi

Mozi, also known as the Mo Di, was a prominent Chinese philosopher who established
the important school of thought known as Mohism during the Warring States era (c.
470–391 BCE). His philosophy was based on social morality, practical ethics, and an
idealized picture of a society that was more peaceful and just. The Confucian and
Daoist ideologies of Mozi’s day were in opposition to his beliefs and body of work.

Mozi was a fervent supporter of nonviolence and held that aggressive conflict resulted
in much misery and devastation. He highlighted the value of self-defense above
aggression and denounced the time’s pervasive war-driven policies.

6) Xunzi

Xunzi, most commonly known as Xun Kuang or Hsün Tzu, was a prominent Warring
States-era (c. 310–235 BCE) Chinese philosopher. The main subjects of Xunzi’s
writings were morality, human nature, and the development of ethical qualities.

He maintained that establishing moral standards and customs was necessary to create
a peaceful and well-organized community. His philosophy, which placed a strong
emphasis on the value of social norms, the transformational potential of education, and
the repression of egotistical impulses, has had a profound impact on Chinese culture’s
moral and ethical underpinnings, especially in the fields of government and education.

7) Han Feizi

The Legalist school of thought, which was centered on law, government, and the use of
state authority, was founded by him. Chinese political and legal thought has been
greatly influenced by the writings of Han Feizi, especially his seminal work “Han Feizi.”
Han Feizi thought that the state should have unrestricted power and that society should
be governed by a thorough and stringent legal system. In order to preserve social order,
he maintained that laws have to be unambiguous, unbiased, and rigorously executed.

Han Feizi supported an authoritarian, centralized government. He thought that keeping

order and averting anarchy required a strong, centralized state headed by a strong
leader. He disapproved of ministers and the aristocracy being involved in government
matters because he believed it would lead to factionalism and corruption.

8) Sunzi (Sun Tzu)

He is well known for writing “The Art of War” (Sunzi Bingfa), one of the most important
books on military strategy and combat that has lasting value even outside of the
battlefield. “The Art of War” is an extensive manual that covers tactics, espionage,
intelligence, and leadership. It provides a thorough understanding of the concepts and
tactics of battle. In his lectures, Sunzi stressed the value of meticulous preparation,
flexibility, and the art of deception in combat.

Sunzi emphasized that, in the face of shifting conditions, one must be adaptive and
flexible. Rather than depending on rigid, unchangeable plans, he argued for techniques
that could be adjusted to the particular circumstances. Sunzi thought that the key to
victory on the battlefield was competent leadership. He underlined how important a
general is to keeping troops’ spirits high and creating a feeling of cohesion and purpose.

9) Zhang Zai

A philosophical system based on the ideas of Qi (or Ch’i) and Li was put forth by Zhang
Zai. Li is the concept or pattern that gives Qi order and form, whereas Qi is the vital
energy or substance that penetrates everything. His philosophy is based on this
dualistic framework, which has had an impact on later Chinese thought.

Zhang Zai highlighted the value of not just academic understanding but also real-world
experience and moral behavior. He urged people to acquire virtue and behave morally
by using their knowledge of human nature and the natural world.

10) Wang Yangming

His writings, also referred to as “Wang Yangming’s School,” had a significant influence
on Chinese philosophy and thinking because they stressed the need for moral
development and reflection. Wang Yangming proposed the concept of “innate
knowledge of the good” (liangzhi), which holds that morality—the knowledge of what is
right and wrong—is innate in all people. In order to develop their moral character, he
maintained that people must access this inner knowledge through introspection and
self-examination.