Ancient Indian philosophy is traditionally categorized into six orthodox (āstika) schools, known as the “ṣaḍdarśanas.” These schools accept the authority of the Vedas and have significantly influenced Hindu thought. They are:
1. Nyāya: Founded by Sage Gautama, Nyāya emphasizes logic and epistemology. It investigates the means of obtaining valid knowledge (pramāṇas) and holds that correct reasoning is essential for spiritual liberation.
2. Vaiśeṣika: Attributed to Sage Kaṇāda, Vaiśeṣika is a naturalistic school focusing on metaphysics and ontology. It proposes that all objects in the physical universe are reducible to a finite number of atoms and categorizes reality into substances, qualities, activities, generalities, particularities, and inherence.
3. Sāṃkhya: One of the oldest philosophical systems, Sāṃkhya presents a dualistic framework dividing reality into consciousness (puruṣa) and matter (prakṛti). It enumerates the components of the universe and the process of evolution, aiming to achieve liberation through discriminative knowledge.
4. Yoga: Closely related to Sāṃkhya, the Yoga school, systematized by Sage Patañjali, emphasizes practical methods for attaining spiritual insight and tranquility. It outlines the eight limbs of yoga, including ethical disciplines, postures, breath control, and meditation, to achieve self-realization.
5. Mīmāṃsā: Also known as Pūrva Mīmāṃsā, this school focuses on the ritualistic and interpretative aspects of the Vedas. Founded by Sage Jaimini, it emphasizes dharma (duty) and advocates the performance of Vedic rituals as essential for maintaining cosmic order and achieving personal merit.
6. Vedānta: Also called Uttara Mīmāṃsā, Vedānta explores the philosophical teachings of the Upanishads, concentrating on concepts like Brahman (ultimate reality) and Ātman (soul). It has diversified into sub-schools such as Advaita (non-dualism), Viśiṣṭādvaita (qualified non-dualism), and Dvaita (dualism), each interpreting the nature of reality and liberation uniquely.
These six schools collectively offer a comprehensive understanding of various philosophical inquiries in ancient Indian thought, ranging from logic and metaphysics to ethics and spirituality.
這六派分別為：
- 彌曼差（Mimāṃsā）
- 吠檀多（Védānta 或 Uttara Mimamsa）
- 數論（Sāṃkhya）：於公元前4世紀由迦毗羅[2]所創立。
- 勝論（Vaiśeṣika）
- 正理論（Nyāya）
- 瑜伽（Yóga）
