Siddhanta

Siddhānta, a Sanskrit term denoting the established and accepted view of any particular school within Indian philosophy. Literally "settled opinion or doctrine, dogma, axiom, received or admitted truth; any fixed or established or canonical text-book on any subject" (< siddha, adj. mfn.- accomplished, fulfilled; that has attained the highest object, thoroughly skilled or versed in). ^[1]

Hindu philosophy

This term is an established term within Hindu philosophy which denotes a specific line of development within a Hindu religious or philosophical tradition. The traditional schools of Hindu philosophy have had their siddhantas established by their respective founders in the form of Sutras (aphorisms). The Sutras are commented by a major philosopher in the respective traditions to elaborate upon the established doctrine by quoting from the shastras (scriptures) and using logic and pramanas (accepted source of knowledge). For example, in the tradition of Vedanta, the author of the Brahma Sutra was Veda Vyasa and the commentators were Adi Shankara, Ramanuja and Madhva (each of whom eventually set up sub-schools within Vedanta). Also, in the tradition of Purva Mimamsa, the author of the Sutra was Jaimini and the commentator was Shabaraswami.

Buddhist philosophy

Tibetan Buddhists scholars translate the term accurately as 'tenet'. In Tibetan Scholar Konchog Jigmed Wangpo's famous text on philosophical tenets, he writes:

The etymology for 'tenet' (siddhanta) is: a tenet or a meaning which was made firm, decided upon, or established in reliance on the texts and reasoning and which will not be forsaken for something else. Dharmamitra's Clear Words, A Commentary on Maitreya's Ornament for Realisations (abhisamayalamkara karika prajnaparamita mitopadesha shastratike) says: '"Established conclusion [siddhanta] signifies one's own established assertion which is thoroughly borne out by the texts and reasoning. Because one will not pass beyond this assertion, it is a conclusion."

Jain philosophycal studies

For Jainism, the texts vary between the three primary sects, with Sthanakavasis believing in no textual authority. Both the Digambara and Shvetambara believe that the "purest" Jain teachings were contained within the Purvas, which have been mostly lost to antiquity. Of the surviving Jain scriptures, the Digambara tend to focus upon the Prakaranas; while the Shvetambara focus upon the Angas.

Astronomy

Early Indian astronomy is transmitted in Siddhantas: Varahamihira (6th century) in his Pancha-Siddhantika contrasts five of these: The Surya Siddhanta besides the Paitamaha Siddhantas (which is more similar to the "classical" Vedanga Jyotisha), the Paulisha and Romaka Siddhantas (directly based on Hellenistic astronomy) and the Vasishtha Siddhanta.

References

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