7rcTIX1xP

A Series of Lessons on the Inner Teachings of the Philosophies and Religions of India1240
doctrine and teaching. Together with the Vaisheshika, the Nyaya adheres to
the Atomic Theory of the Universe, and to the general logical arrangements
and classification of ideas and subjects of thought. It holds that the Material
Universe is atomic, and that the Souls are countless and become involved
and entangled in Matter, just as do the other systems of Hindu philosophy,
in one form or another. The Way of Liberation, Freedom and Emancipation
is held to be attained only through the thorough knowledge of the Nyaya
philosophy and methods, and the application of the same according to
the principles laid down by the teachers; or as one writer has expressed
it: “Final Beatitude arises from a proper comprehension of the Truth, as
summarized in the Sixteen Padarthas of the Nyaya.” Originally, the Nyaya
System did not admit the existence of an Ishwara, Personal God, or World
Soul, but afterward there crept in the doctrine of an Ishwara or Supreme
Soul (Para-Atman) which regulated and maintained the Universe, creating
and directing the formation of the combination of Atoms, and often taking
an active part in the affairs of His universe, but who was not the Creator or
Cause of the Souls or Atoms, the two latter being held to be co-existent
with Him, although under His control and direction, subject to the higher
Law, and all emanating from Brahman or that, and being destined to return
to the Source from which they originated, at the close of the Day of Brahm.
Miscellaneous Systems.
In addition to the Three Minor Systems which we have just considered
there are several other minor systems with a number of followers, but which
are but little known outside of India. These systems are rather more of
religious systems, or systems of theology, than systems of philosophy, and
advance no new conceptions or ideas, their efforts being in the direction
of advancing certain theological dogmas, or the claims of certain priestly
cults. To this class belongs the school founded by Anandatirtha, known
as the Purnaprajna cult, and which is really a Vishnuitic sect or school of
theology, devoted to the advancement of the worship of Vishnu. Similar in