What kind of influence did Cārvāka had on Buddha's philosophy
score:1
I would like to put a slightly different view to Suminda
Although the Buddha was undoubtedly a hugely original innovator (to say the least) I think it is fair to say that he was also influenced by the philosophical and spiritual environment of Northern India at the time. He would have been influenced by the Jains, The Brahminical traditions, the Sramanas and by other philosophies such as Cārvāka. However the influence of the philosophies could have been as much reacting against as inspired by. In the case of Cārvāka the influence could have run both ways.
The Cārvāka system might have provided the extreme of nihilism (or annihilationism) that the Buddha was reacting against when he proposed the Middle Way. The other extreme of eternalism would have been more characteristic of the Brahminical traditions.
More positively, the Cārvāka system could have influenced the Buddha in his skeptical stance to questions unrelated to liberation i.e. his refusal to answer questions on the fate of the universe or what happens after death. The sort of skepticism shown by the Buddha would have probably been of the weaker kind though - one of suspension of judgement rather than the absolute impossibility of knowing. Interestingly the Greek skeptics could have been influenced by Eastern philosophy through figures such as Pyrrho. So Cārvāka might have also influence the Western philosophical tradition either directly or perhaps via transmission through Buddhism.
Just as an aside I've written a bit more on the influence of Buddhism on Western philosophy here. Also this question goes more into the relationship between nihilism and Buddhism though we didn't mention Cārvāka. Maybe we should have.
Upvote:2
The Buddha claims that what he is about to teach is previously unheard of. Hence I double that there were any material influences on the core of Buddhism though he did draw from existing customs and techniques which were appropriate. E.g. Sila, some of the Samatha meditation techniques, etc.
The core being the teaching like the Bodhipakkhiyādhammā, the 4 Nobel Truths, the Pratītyasamutpāda, Three marks of existence, Threefold Training, etc. which are original to Buddhism.
Buddha rejected 62 wrong view of his time. Ucchedavada proposed by Ajita Kesakambali, one of the earliest Cārvāka thinkers, was also rejected by Buddha among other. These views arise due to theorising and philosophising without going to the pinnacle of understanding or realisation of the ultimate truth. Hence there cannot be any perceivable influence from this doctrine.
More post
- 📝 Buddhist view on letting the anger out. Any problems with that?
- 📝 Nirvana is the ground layer underneath them all
- 📝 What's the difference between a "primordial consciousness" and a soul?
- 📝 During Anapana, why does the breathing become slower and slower as we progress?
- 📝 Buddhism on depression?
- 📝 Is Scientific Realism/Materialism and/or Historicity compatible with Mahayana?
- 📝 Understanding beginningless
- 📝 Once nirvana is reached is there any connection to earth available?
- 📝 A few quetions on metta
- 📝 Animals and humans in Science vs. Buddhism
- 📝 Cosmic expansion and cosmic contraction
- 📝 Meditation techniques for beginners?
- 📝 Buddhist ethics & hydroponics: ethical issues?
- 📝 Does anybody know the composition of the 6th council and how the delegates were chosen?
- 📝 Why Buddha said "if you want to remove small/light codes from Vinaya"?
- 📝 What is the Samsaric Mind? How does it operate?
- 📝 What the characters of a human being?
- 📝 Did Gautama Buddha believe in God?
- 📝 Is there an antibuddha?
- 📝 How should I take the concept of 'non-entity'?
- 📝 Getting Started
- 📝 What is rhys david dictionary's license for now?
- 📝 Mind-Stream Continuum's Origination?
- 📝 What is the starting of Samsara?
- 📝 How come Devdutta is also Buddha's brother-in-law?
- 📝 Nibbana and correct view of Vijnana and Jhana
- 📝 Does anyone interpret 'karma' this way?
- 📝 Budhist monastery rituals
- 📝 Is anicca impermanence &/or uncertainty?
- 📝 Does Theravada Buddhism accept Jataka Stories?
Source: stackoverflow.com
Search Posts
Related post
- 📝 What kind of influence did Cārvāka had on Buddha's philosophy
- 📝 Any authentic sutta from any tradition that gives guidance on what kind of partner to choose?
- 📝 What "religions" did previous Buddhas practice?
- 📝 What language did the Buddha speak?
- 📝 Why can't private buddhas just tell people what they did to achieve enlightenment
- 📝 What kind of mistakes can a new meditator in his/her early 20's avoid?
- 📝 What kind of harm can koan answers cause to one's practice?
- 📝 What did the Buddha say about music?
- 📝 What kind of vipassana retreats do you recommend in South East Asia?
- 📝 What is Death? What did Buddha say regarding the experience of Death?
- 📝 What did the Buddha mean when he spoke about samma samadhi?
- 📝 What is the most “genuinely Buddhist” kind of mindfulness?
- 📝 What exactly did Lord Buddha say about Size of Atom?
- 📝 Did the Buddha ever define what he meant by "self"?
- 📝 What did the Buddha teach about aliens?
- 📝 What is the equivalent scientific term for samsedaja? What kind of beings on earth are born from samsedaja?
- 📝 What advice did the Buddha give to corrupt officials?
- 📝 What did Buddha say about dysfunctional families for novice practitioners?
- 📝 What leisure activities did the Buddha partake in?
- 📝 What did Siddhartha really meant by ending suffering
- 📝 What impact has the Chinese Government had on Chinese Buddhism so far?
- 📝 For what reason did the Dali Lama's traditional daily schedule have washing before meditation?
- 📝 What did the Buddha mean by 'development of the body'?
- 📝 What did the Buddha say about gratitude?
- 📝 What did the Buddha say about motivation?
- 📝 Did anyone ask the Buddha what their rebirth will be?
- 📝 What interaction did the Buddha have with his family after leaving?
- 📝 Did Huineng claim he didn't know Buddhism? If yes, what does it mean?
- 📝 What did the Buddha mean by the four types of reasoning in his advice to the Kalamas?
- 📝 What kind of pleasure is the one we get by pursuing Mathematical problems and solving them? Is it a kind of sensual pleasure?