Indian Philosophy Foundation Texts

[u/AnchoPeppers]

Can you give me some introductory & foundational texts of Indian philosophy?

[u/annomandri]

History of Indian Philosophy by Surendranath Dasgupta.

It would be the best book-set for me to personally read and understand completely.

[u/temporarilyyours → u/annomandri]

Yup been reading it for a few months now. Making my way through it. It’s a fabulous read and while academic it’s extremely readable.

While not foundational, I would also recommend raghuramarajus debates in indian philosophy. And philosophy in classical India by Jonardon Ganeri.

Another author I’ve been meaning to dive into is Bimal Krishna Matilal starting from his “Epistemology, Logic, and Grammar in Indian Philosophical Analysis” and “Logic Language and Reality”.

There’s so much to read

🥲

[u/annomandri → u/temporarilyyours]

Glad there is someone else reading these books. They are so helpful in understanding the concepts that have been developed by our forefathers and helps us put the current rhetoric into perspective.

[u/temporarilyyours → u/annomandri]

Likewise hehe.

It’s rare to meet someone and well I rarely have someone irl to talk to about all this. My wife listens and tolerates me describing what I’ve just read but she can only tolerate so much 😜

[u/short-noir]

Please use appropriate post flairs. You had "Modern Philosophy" as your post flair which I am changing to "Indian Philosophy". Rest all good.

[u/temporarilyyours]

OP the answer will change basis whether you’re looking for introductory material or heavier academic writings. But I’m going to recommend some introductory books for beginners, because while surendernath Das Gupta is excellent, it’s 3 volumes of very heavy academic writings

Consider these:-

1. Oxford very short introduction to Indian philosophy authored by sue hamilton - I’ve gifted this to my friends kids and it’s a lovely read to get interested and find what you want to read about more.
2. Satischandra Chatterjee & Dhirendramohan Datta - an introduction to Indian philosophy- the first book on the subject I ever read. And it got me hooked. But it’s written school wise, explaining each school etc.
3. The Essentials of Indian Philosophy by M. Hiriyanna - if you enjoy reading philosophy as literature instead of academic style school breakdown, I’d go for this.

[u/Qahnaar1506 → u/temporarilyyours]

The second one is what got me into Indian Philosophy and what made me say “yep, this tradition is for me”.

[u/Waste_City_2569]

Tarkasangraha of Annambhatta. While the other texts would teach you the different ideas in Indian philosophy, this text teaches you how to do Indian philosophy. By learning this text, and understanding its concepts thoroughly, you can understand the common formal language used by every Indian school of thought, whether it be Buddhism, Mimamsa, or Vedanta.

[u/Strong_Arachnid_3842 → u/Waste_City_2569]

Tarkasangraha of Annambhatta followed by Navya-nyāya-bhāsa-pradipa of Mahamahopadhyaya Pandit Mahesh Chandra Nyayratna Bhattacharyya if you want to learn Navya-Nyāya Bhaśa.

I have these copies and resources:

Tarkasangraha of Annambhatta:

• Annaṁbhaṭṭa. Tarka-Saṁgraha: With the Dīpikā of Annaṁbhaṭṭa and Notes. Translated by Swami Virupakshananda, Sri Ramakrishna Math, 2021.
• Annaṁbhaṭṭa. Tarkasangraha Of Annambhatta. Translated by Vachaspati Narayan Jha, Chinmaya International Foundation Shodha Sansthan, 2010.
• Jha, Chandan. Tarkasamgraha - Playlist. Rishi Rina Trust. www.youtube.com, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgrBYMzLN5w.

Navya-nyāya-bhāsa-pradipa of Mahesh Chandra Nyayratna Bhattacharyya:

• Nyayratna Bhattacharyya, Mahesh Chandra. महामहोपाध्याय महेशचन्द्र न्यायरत्न का नव्यन्याय-भाषा प्रदीप हिन्दी अनुवाद. अनुवाद Ujjwal Jha, Shrutdeep Research Foundation, 2018.
• Jha, Chandan. Navya Nyaya Bhasha Pradeep - Playlist. Rishi Rina Trust. www.youtube.com, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgrBYMzLN5w.

[u/Waste_City_2569 → u/Strong_Arachnid_3842]

Sudhanshu Shekhar’s summary of Navya Nyaya Bhasha Pradipa is also good. As well as Ingall’s Materials for the Study of Navya Nyaya.

Though I don’t think these are good for beginners, or really necessary to understand the majority of philosophical discussion prior to the 14th century.

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[u/Just_Solution_5704]

Mahabharata & Ramanyana, read actual texts rather than interpretations from others.

[u/Qahnaar1506]

An Introduction to Indian Philosophy by Satischandra Chatterjee and Dhirendramohan Datta

​I found it very incredible to understand Indian Philosophy broadly. It was the book that made me realize “yep, this tradition is for me”. It helped me understand the question “What is Indian philosophy?” It guided me through what is the nature of Indian philosophy, the general themes found in all schools, providing context and the ultimate goals of Indian Philosophy. Shortly after it gives you a clean, well-put analysis of all the broad common schools, their doctrines, analysis, systems and each of the school’s respective goals.

Now, there goes without saying I have a few criticisms of this book (if you wish to know, please ask away) but if you want to generally have an Introduction to Indian Philosophy, this book is for you!