Christopher Key Chapple, Doshi Professor of Indic and Comparative Theology at Loyola Marymount University, brings fresh insights into the ancient Sāṃkhya system. He delves into its unique philosophical foundations, exploring its dual nature of idealism and materialism. Chapple discusses the complexities of translating Sanskrit texts and reflects on their cultural significance. The conversation also touches on gender dynamics in Sāṃkhya, emphasizing the elevation of feminine principles and their connection to spirituality. A captivating dive into understanding existence and consciousness!
56:21
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
menu_book Books
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
question_answer ANECDOTE
Sankhya's Influence
Christopher Key Chapple's interest in Sankhya started in his teenage years through a yoga community.
This community focused on individuality, contrasting the prevalent "we are all one" rhetoric of the 70s.
insights INSIGHT
Sankhya's Scope
Sankhya, one of six classical Indian philosophical schools, aims to explain all existence.
Its concepts, like the three gunas (tamas, rajas, sattva), offer profound insights into human existence.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Book's Genesis
The book "The Sankhya System" emerged from a translation group and a conference of philosophers and practitioners.
It explores Sankhya's practical implications and includes diverse interpretations, from idealism to materialism.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
This book presents Patanjali's Yoga Sutras in a modern translation with commentary by Swami Prabhavananda. It encapsulates the essence of yoga, going beyond physical postures to include philosophical and practical aspects. The translation is accompanied by the Devanagari text and transliteration, making it accessible to both Indian and Western readers. The commentary by Swami Prabhavananda and Christopher Isherwood helps in understanding the non-technical and up-to-date phraseology used in the book.
The Sankhya System, Accounting for the Real
The Sankhya System, Accounting for the Real
Accounting for the Real
Christopher Key Chapple
This book offers a fresh perspective on the ancient Hindu philosophical system of Sankhya, exploring its multifaceted nature across philosophy, physics, metaphysics, psychology, and ethics. It delves into the core concept of reciprocity between Prakṛti (the realm of activity) and Puruṣa (the silent witness), examining how phenomenal experiences arise from Prakṛti. The book also presents a new translation of Īśvarakṛṣṇa's Sāṃkhya Kārikā, accompanied by a grammatical analysis, making this ancient text more accessible to modern readers. It emphasizes the potential for achieving freedom through knowledge of the world and self, offering a unique lens on ancient Indian thought. The book includes contributions from various scholars, enriching the understanding of Sankhya's implications.
The Source Book in Indian Philosophy
The Source Book in Indian Philosophy
None
Dr. Radhakrishnan
Vishnu Purana
Vishnu Purana
None
Macomas Taylor
Yoga Sutras
Patañjali.
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali are a seminal text in yogic philosophy, composed of 196 aphorisms that guide the reader through the principles and practices of yoga. The text synthesizes various traditions, including Samkhya, Abhidharma Buddhism, and ancient ascetic practices. It describes the eight limbs of yoga (yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana, and samadhi) as the means to achieve a state of consciousness free from active or discursive thought, leading to liberation from material suffering and the cycle of birth and death. The sutras emphasize the distinction between Purusha (the Self) and Prakriti (non-self, matter), and the practice of samyama (concentration, meditation, and contemplation) to attain higher consciousness and ultimate freedom[1][3][5].
Sāṃkhya Kārikā
Sāṃkhya Kārikā
null
Īśvarakṛṣṇa
The Sāṃkhya Kārikā is a foundational text in the Sāṃkhya school of Hindu philosophy. It's a concise yet profound work that outlines the core principles of Sāṃkhya, focusing on the distinction between Purusha (consciousness) and Prakṛti (nature). The text explores the evolution of the universe from Prakṛti and the path to liberation through knowledge. It's known for its elegant presentation of complex philosophical ideas and its influence on subsequent Indian philosophical traditions. The Kārikā's influence extends beyond philosophy, impacting yoga and other spiritual practices.
Winthrop Sargent's Bhagavad Gita
Winthrop Sargent's Bhagavad Gita
null
Winthrop Sargent
The SāṃKhya System: Accounting for the Real (SUNY Press, 2024) brings new life to an ancient Hindu system of thought. Sāṃkhya spans the fields of philosophy, physics, metaphysics, psychology, and ethics. Although notably not theological, its key premises can be found in virtually all religious traditions that originate from India. Sāṃkhya espouses a reciprocity between Prakṛti, the realm of activity, and Puruṣa, the silent witness. It also delineates the phenomenal experiences that arise from Prakṛti, including the operations of the human body, the five great elements, and the eight mental states. Sāṃkhya proclaims that knowledge of world and self can lead to freedom. This book presents a new translation of Īśvarakṛṣṇa's Sāṃkhya Kārikā, with grammatical analysis.
New Books in Religion 
