A Comparative Analysis of Epistemology in Samkhya and Buddhist Philosophy for Wellbeing of Human Society

Abstract

India is a country where multiple views of philosophy existed. Pertaining to Buddhist Literature (Digh p.80) there were sixty two schools of philosophical notions in India, except Buddhism. The six systems, viz Nydya, Vaisheshika, Sdmkhya, Mim6nsd. and, Vedanta are prominent between and among them. These philosophical concepts, except Sdmkhya are besed on Vedic teachings. SEmkhya system is different from those others, because of accepting dualism. The duality in SEmkhya is the first cause ( Prakryti) and soul (Purusha), Both in Buddhism and Sdmkhya contain useful and valuable data according to all the four main branches of Philosophy namely Metaphysics, Epistemology, Ethics and Cosmology. Buddhism is entirely distinct doctrine not only from Sdmkhya but also from the other canons in all over the world. Buddhist and Sdmkhya philosophy focus on emancipation themselves. In accordance with these two concepts, the followers who wish the weilbeing of the society and to attain salvation should gain the knowledge for their mindfulness. Absence of knowledge the person will not be able to develop his mind. A person failing to build mind up becomes danger to society. Human beings must, therefore, grasp the knowledge for their mindfulness, for wellbeing of the society. Both Buddhism and Sdmkhya have a specific path for acquiring knowledge. Buddhism recommends two fold activities such as perception and inference for grasping the knowledge. The S6mkhya accept these two fold activities referred to in Buddhism itself and in addition to that the revelation or suiptural testimony. (S.K.a) Thus the two of these philosophical concepts led their followers to make a peaceful society and an attempt to discover the liberation by gaining knowledge through these two or three fold activities. Various similarities and differences can be. seen in connection with theory of knowledge predicted in these two doctrines. I propose to examine them in this research.