The Sanskrit word for philosophy is darśana, which means direct vision. The words symbolize the difference between modern Western philosophy, which mainly relies on intellectual pursuit and Indian philosophy that relies on direct vision of truths and pure Buddhi (reasoning). Darśana is divided into two categories namely, Astika (believer in the Vedas) and Nastika (non-believer in the Vedas). Astika are Nyaya, Vaisheshik, Samkhya, Yoga, Mimamsa and Vedanta. Nastika are Charvaka, Jainism and Buddhism. Others are a mixture of the ideas of these systems. Although each school of philosophy is unique, all of them have certain common characteristics. These are direct experience, acceptance of authority, harmony amongst schools, parallel growth and coexistence of a number of schools, open mindedness, support of logic and reasoning, belief of eternity, law of karma, moral and ethical teachings, acknowledgement of suffering, thoroughness and practicality. Here is a brief introduction to some of these ancient Schools of Indian Thought.

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