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The Sixth Lesson: The Minor Systems.1237
the same reasons and conditions. It is a science of the Evolution of Ethics,
and inasmuch as it is so, it is in accordance with the teachings of the highest
Western philosophy, although perhaps contrary to certain religious dogmas
which persist in theory although abandoned in practice: The Hindu idea of
“Dharma” includes Ethics based on Revelation, Higher Teachings, Intuition,
Conscience, or Spirit, and Practical Utility—the system is catholic, eclectic
and all-inclusive, you see, and is a study worthy of the attention of any and
all students of philosophy, whether of the East or of the West. We cannot
go into the subject here at greater length, and such would be beyond the
scope and field of this series of lessons. (We must refer the student to our
two lessons on “Dharma,” and the one lesson on “Karma Yoga,” in our work
entitled “Advanced Course in Yogi Philosophy,” published by the house that
issues the present lesson.)
And so this is the Purva Mimansa System of Jaimini, in its general outlines.
Passing from view, as it is now in India, still its influence for the good has
been apparent, and its “fruits of good work” will live after it. Freed from
its narrowness, and formalism, it contains many important truths, and
emphasizes many points that the other systems were prone to overlook in
their interest in others. And none need hesitate to give the system its proper
place as one of the Six Great Pillars which support the great structure of the
Temple of Hindu Philosophy.
The Nyaya System.
The sixth, and latest in point of actual crystallization, of the Six Systems of
Hindu Philosophy, is the Nyaya System formulated by Gotama; the history
of the founder and the details of the formation of the school, as well as the
exact date thereof, being unknown; the general opinion, however, being
that the school was founded in the early centuries of the Christian Era,
being based on older teachings, as indeed has been the case with all of
the Six Systems in their present forms. Gotama, the founder of the Nyaya
System, must not be confounded with Gautama, the Buddha, the founder