2020

LEARNING MODULE
AFLI-MC 3RD YEAR BSENG

HEDILADIGNON
 Survey of Afro-Asian Literature

Module 1: India-The Mystic Land (PART I)

INTRODUCTION AND FOCUS QUESTIONS:

India is located in the Southern Asia bordering the Arabian Sea and the Bay
of Bengal. Neighboring countries include Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma. China,
Nepal, and Pakistan. It is considered as the largest country in the South Asia. India
is considered as the land of mystics and the Enlighted ones. In that sense India has
always been a really unique country
Indian literatures are one of those aspects that make this country well-known
since its literature mirrors the life of Indian people and its community. In this module,
we will trace the beginning of the Indian literature and how does their philosophy,
religion, and culture reflect on their literary writings. At the same time, the major
and famous writers will be discussed so that you will find out the proponents or the
founders of the Indian writings. Then, the famous and notable literary works will
also be tackled in this module. At every end of the lesson, there will be activities so
that you can assess your own learnings and progress.
Lastly, you have to remember while studying that you have to answer the
following questions:

1. What are the different literary periods of Indian literatures?

2. How does their philosophy, religion and culture affect the
development of their literary writings?
3. Who are the major writers of Indian literature? What are their
contributions in Indian literature?
4. What are the famous and notable literary works of India that
until now are very appealing to the society?

LESSONS AND COVERAGE:

In this module, you can know the answer once you study the following
lessons:

Lesson 1: Historical Background: The Literary Periods

Lesson 2: Philosophy, Religion, and Culture
Lesson 3: The Major writers of Indian Literature
Lesson 4: The Famous and Notable Literary works of India

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 In these lessons, you will do the following

LESSONS AND COVERAGE:

In this module, you can know the answer once you study the following

In these lessons, you will do the following:

o Trace the beginnings of the literary periods

LESSON of India using a “timeline graphic
1 organizer”.
o Compare and contrast the characteristics
of “Four Vedas” using Venn diagram.
o Reflect on the essence of Indian literary
periods in today’s literature.
o Identify the characteristics of Indian
LESSON philosophy and its essence in human
2 lives.
o Show understanding about the culture of
India by writing a reflection paper.
o Summarize the important points of
Indian philosophy, culture, and religion
by completing a semantic web.
o Think of a situation whereas they can
apply the Indian philosophies
o Determine the famous literary works of
LESSON Indian literature and their characteristics.
3 o Familiarize themselves about the
characteristics of these literary works
using a “table graphic organizer”.
o Choose one famous literary works of
India that until now is appealing in
society.
o Name some famous writers of Indian
LESSON literature and answer the questions
4 about their contributions in today’s
literature/society.
o Create their own “interview
questionnaire” by choosing one famous
Indian writer that they want to interview

EXPECTED SKILLS:

At the end of this module, the students are expected to:

1. Discover the literary periods as well as philosophy, religion, and culture
of India.
2. Find out the major writers of Indian literature and their writing styles.
3. Familiarize themselves about some famous and notable Indian literary
works
4. Show respect about the philosophy, culture and religion of India.

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 PRE-ASSESSMENT

Let’s begin by assessing how much knowledge you have about this subject “Survey of
Afro-Asian Literature” and for you to find out your own strengths and weaknesses

Multiple Choice. Encircle the letter of the correct answer.

1. Who are primarily responsible for preserving the early literature of Africans?
a. Bards
b. Storytellers
c. Griots
d. Town criers
2. How were lyric poems in Africa performed?
a. Acapella
b. Piano accompaniment
c. Guitar accompaniment
d. Harp accompaniment
3. Who influenced the early literature of India?
a. Aryans
b. Brahmans
c. Folk people
d. Buddhist
4. What is the product of black writers joining together using the French language
to assert their cultural identity?
a. Indigenous movement
b. Negritude movement
c. Feminist movement
d. Chauvinist movement
5. How many hymns does the Rigveda contain?
a. 1,028
b. 1,820
c. 2,810
d. 1,280
6. Who is considered as the Indian Shakespeare?
a. Tagore
b. Premchand

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 c. Kalidasa
d. Narayan
7. What literary work in China depicts the idea of spontaneity?
a. The book of songs
b. The T’ang poems
c. The Analects
d. The Tao-Te Ching
8. Which of the following animals does not belong in the story of the novel “Record
of a Journey to the West’?
a. Monkey
b. Dog
c. Pig
d. Fish
9. Who wrote the book “Records of Historian”?
a. Ssu-ma Ch’ien
b. Lao Tzu
c. Li Po
d. Wang Wei
10. Japanese literature is inspired by what country?
a. Korea
b. Mongolia
c. China
d. Philippines
11. Who wrote the world’s first novel?
a. Lady Murasaki Shikibu
b. Sei Shonagon
c. Yoshida Kenko
d. Seami Motokiyo
12. Akutagawa’s “In the Grove” was adapted to the film?
a. Ramen
b. Rashemen
c. Rashomon
d. Rashemon
13. Which among the following forms of literature does not belong to the Spanish

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 Colonization?
a. Play
b. Korido
c. Awit
d. Essay
14. Who is the prolific Filipino playwright that wrote “Three Rats”, “Wanted: A
Chaperon” and “The Forsaken Play?”
a. Wilfrido Ma.Guerrero
b. Bienvenido Santos
c. Alberto Tolentino
d. NVM Gonzales
15. F. Sionil Jose’s novel entitled Po-On, The Pretenders, My Brother, My
Executioner, Mass and Tree are also known as?
a. Ramirez Saga
b. Jose Saga
c. Santos Saga
d. Rosales Saga
16. In the story of Ramayana, what is the name of the daughter of King Janaka
who became the wife of Rama?
a. Sata
b. Sita
c. Seta
d. Sama
17. Which among the following hymns belongs to the Rigveda?
a. Songs of Creation
b. Songs of Compilation
c. Songs of Incest
d. Songs of Humanity
18. Who wrote the literary work “A Country Boy Quits School”?
a. Lao Tse Dung
b. Lao Hwoarang
c. Lao Hsiang
d. Lao Lee
19. What is the literary work of Sei Shonagon that was written on a diary genre?

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 a. The Shinto Legends
b. Ataomori
c. The Tale of Genji
d. The Pillow Book
20. Who was the Philippine writer that uses the pseudonym of Patricia Torres?
a. Paz Marquez Benitez
b. Kerima Polotan Tuvera
c. Paz Latorena
d. Jessica Safra
21. Which of the following tells the story between Kaunavas and Pandavas that
struggle supremacy?
a. Sakuntala
b. Mahabhrata
c. Ramayana
d. Veda
22. He is a Chinese writer who is romantic and drunkard and wrote ecstatic and
other worldly poetry that gets inspiration from nature.
a. Lien Tzu
b. Wang Wei
c. Li Po
d. Tu Fu
23. Matsuo Basho is considered as the “Greatest Haiku poet”. What do you mean
by the name “Basho”?
a. Banana plant
b. Banana tree
c. Banana fruit
d. Banana leaf
24. A playwright that usually tackles about deals with everyday scenarios of
commoner’s life.
a. Alberto Tolentino
b. Nick Joaquin
c. Carlos Bulosan
d. NVM Gonzales
25. He depicts the romantic view of Japanese landscape by capturing the wonder

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 and mystery of nature.
a. Yosa Buson
b. Kobayashi Issa
c. Yasunuri Kawabata
d. Junicho Tanizaki
26. An African writer who is famous in his satirical style and with a tragic sense of
the obstacles to human progress.
a. Leopold Senghor
b. Wole Soyinka
c. Chinua Achebe
d. Bessie Head
27. An Indian literary work that is considered as the “Indian best fables” written in
Sanskrit.
a. Pachatantra
b. Panchatantra
c. Pachachatra
d. Pantachara
28. This book is in line with the belief of Confucius that people must nurture their
inner goodness – unselfishness, courage, and honor – to attain universal moral
and social harmony.
a. The Book of Changes
b. The T’ang Poems
c. The Analects
d. The Book of Songs
29. He is a prolific writer of stories, plays and poetry and noted for his stylistic
virtuosity. One of his works were translated and some of his stories were
transformed into films.
a. Junichiro Tanizaki
b. Yukio Mishima
c. Ryunosuke Akutagawa
d. Seami Motokiyo
30. What is the most essential point about Arabian literature?
a. It is based from the Islam religion
b. It is based from Holy Qur’an

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 c. It is based from desert
d. It is based from Arabs
31. It is one of the historical books of Hebrew scripture, and our Old testament of
Bible.
a. The Book of Psalm
b. The Book of Ruth
c. The Book of John
d. The Book of Genesis
32. It a collection of Middle Eastern folk tales compiled in Arabic during the Islamic
Golden Age.
a. The Alladin and the Owl
b. The Arabian Midnight’s Dream
c. The Arabian Nights
d. The Arabic Day and Night
33. What Persian literature is considered as the greatest and most influential work?
a. Shahnameh
b. Shammah
c. Shahannah
d. Shanaha
34. What is the theme of literature during U.S Colonialism?
a. Nationalism
b. Patriarchal
c. Moralism
d. Patriotism
35. Who was the writer that wrote about the Spanish colonial period and the diverse
heritage of the Filipino people?
a. NVM Gonzales
b. Nick Joaquin
c. Bienvenido Santos
d. Alberto Tolentino

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Lesson 1 – Historical Backgrounds: Literary Periods of India

Complete the “Graphic Organizer” by writing all the ideas/things that you know about
Indian literary periods.

INDIAN LITERARY
PERIODS

Reflect on your understanding about the importance of studying Indian literary periods.

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 LESSON 1
HISTORICAL BACKGROUNDS:
LITERARY PERIODS OF INDIA

The Indian literary tradition is the oldest in the world. It is primarily one of verse and
essentially oral. The earliest works were composed to be sung or recited, and were so
transmitted for many generations before being written down.

1.1 SANSKRIT LITERATURE

Sanskrit Literature began with the spoken or sung literature of the Vedas from c.
1500 BCE, and continued with the oral tradition of the Sanskrit Epics of Iron Age India, the
period after the Bronze Age began, around 1200 BCE. At approximately 1000 BCE, Vedic
Sanskrit began the transition from a first language to a second language of religion and
learning.

Around 500 BCE, the ancient scholar Panini standardized the grammar of Vedic
Sanskrit, including 3,959 rules of syntax, semantics, and morphology (the study of words
and how they are formed and relate to each other). Panini’s Astadhyayi is the most
important of the surviving texts of Vyakarana, the linguistic analysis of Sanskrit, consisting
of eight chapters laying out his rules and their sources. Through this standardization, Panini
helped create what is now known as Classical Sanskrit.

THE SANSKRIT LANGUAGE

Sanskrit, the classical language of India, and its literature, represent a continuous
cultural tradition from the time of the Vedas in the second millennium B.C.E. until the
present. It is among the earliest Indo-European languages, closely related to Greek and
Latin and most distantly to English and other modern European languages [1]. It is the
liturgical language of Hinduism and Buddhism primarily, and utilized occasionally
in Jainism, and its position in the cultures of South and Southeast Asia is akin to that of
Latin and Greek in Europe. It is an ancestor of the modern Indo-Aryan languages and has
evolved into, as well as influenced, many modern languages of the world, including Hindi,
Bengali, and Marathi.
The word Sanskrit means "perfected," and the language was adopted as an impro
vement of the Vedic.

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1.2 THE LITERARY PERIODS

THE VEDIC PERIOD

The Aryans were a people from central Asia who spoke an Indo-European language. They
brought with them into India a religion based on the worship of many gods and goddesses. This
ancient religion is depicted in collections of oral poetry and prose – hymns, prayers, chants, spells and
commentaries – known as the “Vedas”.

These were composed at around the time of the Aryan entry into India and in the centuries
following. They were written down many centuries later, long after the “Vedic Age”, but much of what
we know about this period of ancient Indian history is as a result of the faithful word-of-mouth
transmission of the Vedas from one generation to another.

The Vedas

The Vedas are the religious texts which inform the religion of Hinduism (also known
as Sanatan Dharma meaning “Eternal Order” or “Eternal Path”). The term veda means “knowledge”
in that they are thought to contain the fundamental knowledge relating to the underlying cause of,
function of, and personal response to existence. They are considered among the oldest, if not the
oldest, religious works in the world. They are commonly referred to as “scripture”, which is accurate
in that they can be defined as holy writ concerning the nature of the Divine. Unlike the scriptures of
other religions, however, the Vedas are not thought to have been revealed to a certain person or
persons at a specific historical moment; they are believed to have always existed and were
apprehended by sages in deep meditative states at some point prior to c. 1500 BCE but precisely
when is unknown.

The Vedas existed in oral form and were passed down from master to student for generations
until they were committed to writing between c. 1500 - c. 500 BCE (the so-called Vedic Period)
in India. They were carefully preserved orally as masters would have students memorize them
forwards and backwards with emphasis on exact pronunciation in order to keep what was originally
heard intact. The Vedas are therefore regarded as Shruti in Hinduism meaning “what is heard” as
contrasted with other texts designated Smritis (“what is remembered”), accounts of great heroes and
their struggles in works such as the Mahabharata, Ramayana, and Bhagavad Gita (although some
sects of Hinduism regard the Bhagavad Gita as Shruti).

FOUR VEDAS: Each of these is further divided into

types of text included within them:
• Rig Veda • Aranyakas - rituals, observances
• Sama Veda • Brahmanas - commentaries on said rituals
• Yajur Veda • Samhitas - benedictions, prayers, mantras
• Atharva Veda • Upanishads – philosophical narratives and
dialogues

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 The Rig Veda

The Rig Veda sets the standard and tone which is developed by
the Sama Veda and Yajur Veda while the last work, Atharva Veda,
develops its own vision which is informed by the earlier works but takes its
own original course. The Rig Veda is the oldest of the works comprised
of 10 books (known as mandalas) of 1,028 hymns of 10,600 verses. These
verses concern themselves with proper religious observance and practice,
based on the universal vibrations as understood by the sages who first
heard them, but also address fundamental questions regarding existence.

The Sama Veda

The Sama Veda (“Melody Knowledge” or “Song Knowledge”)

is a work of liturgical songs, chants, and texts meant to be sung. The
content is almost wholly derived from the Rig Veda and, as some
scholars have observed, the Rig Veda serves as the lyrics to the
melodies of the Sama Veda. It is comprised of 1,549 verses and
divided into two sections: the gana (melodies) and
the arcika (verses). The melodies are thought to encourage dance
which, combined with the words, elevates the soul.

The Yajur Veda

The Yajur Veda (“Worship Knowledge” or “Ritual

Knowledge”) consists of recitations, ritual worship formulas,
mantras, and chants directly involved in worship services. Like
the Sama Veda, its content derives from the Rig Veda but the
focus of its 1,875 verses is on the liturgy of religious
observances. It is generally regarded as having two “sections”
which are not distinct parts but characteristics of the whole.
The “dark Yajur Veda” refers to those parts which are unclear and poorly arranged while the “light
Yajur Veda” applies to the verses which are clearer and better arranged.

The Atharva Veda

The Atharva Veda (“knowledge of Atharvan”) differs significantly

from the first three in that it concerns itself with magical spells to ward off
evil spirits or danger, chants, hymns, prayers, initiation rituals, marriage
and funeral ceremonies, and observations on daily life. The name is
thought to derive from the priest Atharvan who allegedly was well-known
as a healer and religious innovator. It is thought that the work was
composed by an individual (possibly Atharvan but not likely) or
individuals about the same time as the Sama Veda and Yajur Veda (c.
1200-1000 BCE). It is comprised of 20 books of 730 hymns some of
which draw on the Rig Veda. The nature of the work, the language used,
and the form it takes has caused some theologians and scholars to reject
it as an authentic Veda. In the present day, it is accepted by some but
not all Hindu sects on the grounds that it deals with later knowledge
which is remembered, not the primordial knowledge that was heard.

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THE UPHANISHADS

The Upanishads are considered the “end of the Vedas” as in the last word on the texts. The
term Upanishads means to “sit down closely” as a student would with a master to receive some
information not intended for the rest of the class. The Upanishads in each of the Vedas comment
on the text or illustrate it through dialogue and narrative thereby clarifying difficult or obscure
passages or concepts.

THE EPIC PERIOD

Mahabharata and Ramayana are the two major

epic poems written in this literary period of India which
are thought to have been created sometime between 6th
and 1st century BCE.

THE CLASSICAL PERIOD

The Classical Age of India is also called its Golden
Age and refers to a time that most of the subcontinent was under
the influential Gupta Empire. This extended from about 320 BCE
(Before our Common Era) to approximately 550 CE (Common Era).
This was a time that was characterised by large-scale development
and achievements in various areas. These fields included
engineering, art, science, technology, literature, mathematics,
astronomy, religion and philosophy. This massive development on such a broad scale essentially
led to the establishment of the Hindu culture and its main identity, which exists to this day.
The Gupta Empire was founded by Maharaja Sri-Gupta and was the model of the ideal
civilisation. Its focus was on people’s prospering under peaceful conditions. Exploring science,
culture, history, mathematics and religion was encouraged, and scholars were recognized for their
achievements. Chandragupta I, Samudragupta, and Chandragupta II were the first, best known and
most influential of Gupta rulers. This period brought with it some stunning architecture and art, as
well as scholars that remain well-known for their intellectual contributions to society. Some of these
scholars include Aryabhatta, Varahamihira, Kalidasa, Vishnu Sharma and Vatsyayana. It was during
this Golden Age that trading ties with other countries were established, making India part of a larger
global picture. It was also at this time that the decimal number system was created, as well as the
concept of zero. Chess was originated, as was the Kama Sutra (among many other great literary
works) and initial proposals that the earth could be a sphere rotating on an invisible axis. This was
in contrast to the common belief that it was a flat piece of land resting on the back of a super-strong
man or animal.
The Guptas would perform Vedic sacrifices during this Golden Age. This was done with the
motive of establishing Gupta rule as the only legitimate form of rulership, effectively ‘looking down’
on Buddhism. These sacrifices were believed to connect the human being with the Divine. To do this
was to live a meaningful existence, since life was solely for the purpose of worshipping the Divine
and this could only be accomplished through direct access.During the rules of Chandragupta I,
Samudragupta, and Chandragupta II, their strict military exploits meant that most of the subcontinent
submitted to their rule and conformed to Vedic norms.
The Classical Age continued until the 5th Century CE, when the Hunas arrived and established
themselves in Afghanistan. During the 6th Century, Hunas went on to invade the whole of the Gupta
Empire and bring an end to this Golden Age.

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Activity 1.1

Using a “TIMELINE GRAPHIC ORGANIZER” trace the beginnings of the literary periods
of India by sequencing the important events.

“IMPORTANT EVENTS IN INDIAN LITERARY PERIODS”

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Activity 1.2

Using a “Venn Diagram” compare and contrast the characteristics of the “FOUR VEDAS”

RIG VEDA

SAMA VEDA
YAJUR VEDA

ATHAR VEDA

ACTIVITY 1.3
What would you say about the literary periods of India? Is it very essential in today’s literature?
Why or why not? Explain your answer.

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Lesson 2 – Philosophy, Religion and Culture of India

Write your own thoughts or ideas about “Indian philosophy, culture and religions”.

After completing What’s on your mind, tick the column that determine how often you practice
what the statements say. Do this as objectively as possible. Bear in mind that there are no
wrong answers.

Usually Sometimes Seldom Never

Usually
1. I describe India as one of the oldest
countries.
2. I respect the different religions of
India.
3. I understand that every country has
unique culture.

4. I can characterize the Indian

philosophies.
3. I understand that every country has
5.unique
I canculture.
describe the philosophy,
culture, and religion of India.
6. I have enough knowledge about the connections of
philosophy, religion, and culture in Indian literature.

7. I can differentiate the religions of India.

8. I can explain the significance of philosophy, culture

and religion in the development of Indian literature.

9. I am fully aware that Indian philosophies

are important part of their culture.
10. I understand that most of Indian literature are
based on their philosophy, culture and religion.

TOTAL

GRAND TOTAL /30

SCORING SCORE LEVEL OF PROFICIENCY

Usually- 3 points 28-30 Advanced
Sometimes- 2 points 25-27 Proficient
Seldom- 1 point 23-24 Approaching Proficiency
21-22 Developing
Never- 0
20 and below Beginning

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 LESSON 2
PHILOSOPHY, RELIGION AND
CULTURE OF INDIA

India is one of the oldest civilizations in the world with a kaleidoscopic

variety and rich cultural heritage. It has achieved all -round socio -economic
progress during the last 65 years of its In dependence. India has become self-
sufficient in agricultural production and its now top industrialized countries in the
world. As the 7 t h largest country in the world, India stands apart from the rest of
Asia.

2.1 INDIAN PHILOSOPHY

Indian philosophy is inward looking, and aims to help human

beings deal with ups and downs of life with the goal of “self-
realization”. The Sanskrit word for philosophy is “darsana”, which
means direct vision. The words symbolize the difference between
modern Western philosophy, which mainly relies on an intellectual
pursuit and Indian philosophy that relies on a direct vision of truth and
pure Buddhi (reasoning).

TWO CATEGORIES OF DARSANA

A. ASTIKA or the believer in the Vedas

1. Nyaya: It is based on the Nyaya Sutras, written by Aksapada Gautama in the 21st
century. Its methodology is based on the system of logic. Its followers believe that
obtaining valid knowledge (perception, inference, comparison and testimony) is the
only way to gain release from suffering.

2. Vaisheshik: It was founded by Kanada in the 6th century B.C. and it is atomist and
pluralist in nature. The basis of the school’s philosophy is that all objects in the physical
universe are reducible to finite numbers atoms and, Brahmans is the fundamental force
that causes consciousness to these atoms. The Nyaya and Vaisheshik eventually
merged because of their closely related metaphysical theories.

3. Samkhya: The oldest of the orthodox philosophical systems, and its postulates that

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 everything in reality stems from “purusha” (self or soul or mind) and “prakriti” (matter,
creative agency, energy). It is a dualist philosophy.

4. Yoga: It was expounded by Patanjali in his 2nd Century B.C. Yoga Sutras, accepts the
Samkhya psychology and metaphysics, but is more theistic. The relatively brief Yoga
Sutras are divided into eight ashtanga (limbs), reminiscent of Buddhism’s Noble
Eightfold Path, the goal being to quit one’s mind and achieve kaivalya (solitariness or
detachment).

5. Purva Mimamsa: The main objective of this school is to interpret and establish the
authority of the Vedas. It requires unquestionable faith in the Vedas and the regular
performance of the Vedic fire-sacrifices to sustain all the activity of the universe.
Although in general, Mimamsa accept the logical and philosophical teachings of the
other school, they insist that salvation can only be attained by acting in accordance
with prescriptions of the Vedas. Then later on, the school started to teach the doctrines
of Brahman and freedom, allowing for the release or escape of the soul from its
constraints through enlightened activity.

6. Vedanta: Also called Uttara Mimamsa, it concentrates on the philosophical teachings

of the Upanishads (mystic or spiritual connections within the Vedas), rather than the
Brahmans (instructions for ritual and sacrifice). The Vedanta focus on meditation, self-
discipline and spiritual connectivity, more than traditional ritualism.

SIX SUB-SCHOOLS

• Advaita: the best-known, which holds that the soul and Brahman are one and the
same.
• Visishtadvaita: which teaches that the Supreme being has a definite form, name -
Vishnu - and attributes.
• Dvaita: which espouses a belief in the separate realities; Vishnu, and eternal soul
and matter.
• Dvaitadvaita: which holds that Brahman exists independently, while soul and
matter are dependent.
• Shuddhadvaita: which believes that Krishna is absolute form of Brahman.
• Acintya Bheda Abheda: which combines monism and dualism by stating that the
soul is both distinct and non-distinct from Krishna, or God.

B. NASTIKA or the non-believer in the Vedas

1. Carvaka: Also known as Lokayata, it is materialistic, skeptical and atheistic shool of

thought. Its founder was Carvaka, author of the Barhasapatya Sutras in the final
centuries B.C., although the original texts have been lost and the understanding is
based largely on criticism of the ideas. As early as the 5th
Century, Saddaniti and Buddhaghosa connected the Lokayatas with the Vitandas (or
Sophists), and the term Carvaka was first recorded in the 7th Century by the
philosopher Purandara, and in the 8th Century by Kamalasila and Haribhadra. As a vital
philosophical school, Carvaka appears to have died out sometime in the 15th Century.
2. Buddhism: A non-theistic system of beliefs based on the teachings of Siddhartha
Gautama or Buddha. Buddhism advocates a Noble Eightfold Path to end suffering, and
its philosophical principles are known as the Four Noble Truths (the Nature of Suffering,
the Origin of Suffering, the Cessation of Suffering, and the Path Leading to the
Cessation of Suffering). Buddhist philosophy deals extensively with problems
in metaphysics, phenomenology, ethics and epistemology.

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 3. Jainism: The central tenets of this philosophy were established by Mahavira in the 6 th
century B.C, although Jainism as a religion is much older. Anekantavada is the basic
principle which means that the idea of reality is perceived differently from different point
of views, and that no single point of view is completely true. According to Jainism,
only Kevalis, those who have infinite knowledge, can know the true answer, and that all
others would only know a part of the answer. Jain belief emphasizes the immediate
consequences of one's behavior.

CHARACTERISTICS OF INDIAN PHILOSOPHY

1. Indian philosophy in general concentrates on the spiritual.

✓ Except for Charvaka and related doctrines, Indian philosophy conceives man to be
spiritual in nature, interested primarily in his spiritual destiny, and relates him in one
way or another to a universe which is also spiritual in essence
2. Indian philosophy believed in the ultimate relationship between philosophy and
life.
✓ Philosophy in India has never been considered a mere intellectual exercise. The
close relationship between theory and practice, doctrine and life, has always been
outstanding in Indian thought. Every Indian philosophy seeks the truth, not as an
“academic knowledge for its own sake”, but to learn the truth which shall make them
free
3. Indian philosophy is characterized by the introspective attitude and introspective
approach to reality.
✓ In the Indian tradition, philosophy is thought of as knowledge of the self (atmavidya).
In its pursuit of the truth, Indian philosophy has always been strongly dominated by
concerns with the inner life and self of man rather than the external world of physical
nature For the Indian, therefore, the self is the path towards the ultimate truth.
4. Indian philosophy is idealistic.
✓ Indian philosophy seeks the ideal. This is described as monistic idealism. Monistic
idealism holds the belief that “reality” is ultimately one and ultimately spiritual.
However, it must be noted that Indian idealism does not disregard materialism.
Only, it goes beyond the material. The “idea” of the ultimate “one reality” is the ideal
of Indian philosophy.
5. Indian philosophy uses intuition as the only method through which the ultimate
is known.
✓ For the Indian thinkers, reason or intellectual knowledge is not enough. But it must
be noted that for the Indian thinkers, reason is not useless or fallacious. It is just
that it is insufficient. This is because for the Indian thinkers, reason cannot discover
or reach the truth.
6. Indian philosophy accepts the legitimacy of “authority”.
✓ Reverence for ancient Indian texts is one of the important characteristics of Indian
philosophy. For example, the Vedas and the Upanishads had permeated Indian
thought. As it is claimed, the later Indian schools were basically commentaries on
the ancient Indian sacred texts.
7. Indian philosophy is holistic.
✓ Indian philosophy always thinks of the whole. Unlike the Westerners, Indian
philosophy does cut off reality into pieces. For example, metaphysics,
epistemology, ethics, religion, and values are not cut off from each other, but
treated in their natural unity as aspects of one life and experience or of single
comprehensive reality.

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 2.2 INDIAN CULTURE AND SOCIETY

Religion and Beliefs

• Hindu 79.8%, Muslim 14.2%, Christian 2.3%, Sikh 1.7%, and other unspecified 2%
• India has the second largest Muslim population in the world.
• Religious practices are an integral of daily life
• From the Hindu culture arose three other major religions: Buddhism, Jainism and
Sikhism.
• Hinduism has long established roots in India dating from 2000-1500 B.C.E
• In Hinduism there is no single founder, specific theological system, or central religious
structure
• Vedas and Upanishads are the holy Books of Hinduism
• Hinduism teaches meditation, yoga and ascetic practices to cultivate self-discipline
and unity
• The cow is considered as the sacred animal

The Family

• Family values are highly respected throughout India and are fundamental in daily life
• The structure of the family is patriarchal; a woman must obey her father, her husband,
her son.
• Arranged marriages are commonplace
• The urban middle class population of India have begun to move away from arrange
marriages
• Families often live with three or four generations in the same household
• Traditionally sons inherit and daughters receive dowry
• Child care is provided by the family members

Social Stratification

• India has one of the world’s oldest caste systems

• The caste structure divides people into four main groups: Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas
and Shudras

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• Brahmins, the teachers and intellectuals - Brahma's head. Kshatriyas, the warriors and
rulers – Brahma’s arms. Vaishyas, the traders - Brahma’s thighs, and finally, Shudras, the
menial workers - Brahma's feet
• There can be as many as thirty castes within one village
• Intermarrying between castes was forbidden but in urban areas is now more common
• Your caste is set by birth

Gender Roles

• Mothers, grandmothers and older siblings care for infants

• Patriarchal families are the norm
• Women are considered to hold secondary positions within the home and workplace
• 82.14% of males and 65.46% of females are literate (2011 census)
• Women often receive little schooling
• Divorce and inheritance laws are male dominated

Socialization

• Until the child is two, the mother or grandmother is primary caregiver

• Once the child is two, older sisters are the primary caregivers
• Sons are generally given better opportunities and receive a superior education
• Gender specific roles are encouraged within the family unit and in wider society

Arts, Humanities & Popular Culture

• The Indian culture has absorbed and amalgamated many different customs and ideas
throughout its long history which has led to a rich tradition and folk culture
• The most popular musical instrument in India is the sitar, an instrument similar to a guitar
• India is well regarded for its rugs, craft, metalwork, bronzes, stone carving, pottery,
woodwork, and jewelry.
• Traditional sports include camel racing and cock fighting
• Folk dances are regional and often celebrated during festivals
• ‘Bollywood’ is the informal name given to the popular Mumbai-based film industry
• Bollywood has the largest output in the world in terms of number of films produced and,
possibly, number of tickets sold.

Taboos

• Do not touch another person with your feet or shoes

• Do not show anger
• Do not use public displays of affection
• Winking and whistling should be avoided
• Ears are considered sacred – do not box or pull on another’s ears

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Activity 2.1
Complete the “semantic web” by summarizing the important points of Indian philosophy,
culture, and religion.

THE LAND
OF INDIA

PHILOSOPHY CULTURE

RELIGION

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Activity 2.2
Briefly answer the following questions:

1. What are the essential characteristics of Indian philosophies that are relevant in human
lives?

2. In what ways will you exhibit respect in cultures and belief of India? Cite some examples.

3. What culture or philosophy of India that if being applied or adapted in our own country will
make the lives of Filipino better? Explain your answer.

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