The Inclusive Perspective of Buddhism in the Indian Knowledge Tradition: The Confluence of Religion, Philosophy, and Science
भारतीय ज्ञान परंपरा में बौद्ध धर्म का समावेशी दृष्टिकोण : धर्म, दर्शन और विज्ञान का संगम
Keywords:
बौद्ध ज्ञानमीमांसा, प्रमाण सिद्धांत, शून्यवाद, विज्ञानवाद, अभिधर्म, नालंदा महाविहार, प्रतीत्यसमुत्पाद, योगिक प्रत्यक्ष, Buddhist epistemology, theory of pramāṇa, Yogācāra, dependent originationAbstract
The present study undertakes an analytical examination of the integrative perspective of Buddhism within the Indian knowledge tradition, particularly in the context of the confluence of religion, philosophy, and science. Buddhist epistemology established perception (pratyakṣa) and inference (anumāna) as the sole valid means of knowledge, paralleling the foundations of the empirical scientific method. Dignāga and Dharmakīrti refined the theory of pramāṇa (valid cognition), thereby providing new direction to Indian logic. Nāgārjuna's Mādhyamaka philosophy offered a profound exposition of causality through the doctrines of emptiness (śūnyatā) and dependent origination (pratītyasamutpāda). Meanwhile, the Yogācāra thinkers Asaṅga and Vasubandhu developed a multi-layered analysis of consciousness. The Abhidharma tradition presented a systematic classification of mental processes that resonates with modern psychology. Institutions such as Nālandā Mahāvihāra facilitated integrated study across religion, philosophy, science, mathematics, and medicine. This study argues that Buddhism did not posit any artificial division between religious, philosophical, and scientific knowledge; rather, it regarded them as integral components of a unified pursuit of knowledge.
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