The view expressed in this article is basically as observed and viewed by western thinkers and may not be as propounded by Sanatana thinkers from the Indian continent.
What is the aim of Indian metaphysics? The answer to this question depends on how we understand the meaning of metaphysics in the Indian context. The word ‘metaphysical’ was coined by the Indian linguist, linguists (Rudra Chari posh, Javeda Sophal and Strabismus commenting on Avicenna’s ‘Otienna’) in the early nineteenth century. Metaphysical teachings were condemned by the more conservative school of philosophy and relegated to the category of metaphysics that might be explained away by sheer ignorance.
However, the philosophy of metaphysics has had an influential role in the development of many Indian philosophical traditions. The aim of Indian metaphysics is to achieve the aim of liberation from the wheel of life (Saraswamedhara) by uniting the body, mind, soul and divine consciousness in a quest for truth. Indian metaphysics is thus a complex but holistic view of life, having at its foundation an improvisation of traditional religions and their claims, a focus on attaining personal liberation from a materialistic and egoistic life, a rejection of the ‘reality’ of ordinary life and a belief in the ‘infallibility’ of the human mind. The metaphysics of Indian philosophy aim to give a meaningful existence to life.
There are six systems of thought that contribute to the general framework of Indian metaphysics. The most important of these is Jains metaphysics, also known as Patanjali’s Sutras. This metaphysics believes that knowledge and reality are meaningless unless they are seen, heard and felt. The other six systems are Neemology (the study of life), Yoga (the path of meditation and the acquisition of divine powers), Tantra (the creative side of Tantric philosophy), Buddhism (the ethical and spiritual path of Mahayana Buddhism) and Jainism (the ethical teachings of Buddhism). Knowledge acquired through these sciences is then seen as an end in itself and not as the means to an end or the justification for some activity.
Jains are the most ancient school of Indian metaphysics. This school was founded by a single person, namely Vaitarani Aparimurthy, and has been followed ever since by virtually all the succeeding schools. The basic beliefs of Jainism are based on the transmutation theory, according to which there is eternal life after death. In Aparimurthy’s words, “The world is but a passing phase in the eternal mind of God.” The followers of this school include an entire hierarchy of Indian leaders, including the Rashtrapati Sadashivsas and the Maharajas.
The other five major schools of Indian metaphysics may be loosely called as the Materialist, Idealist, Anti-Abolitionist, Scientific Revolutionist and Pantheist philosophers. Among the Materialists, Patera Sen and Avakas Swarup are the most famous ones. Patera Sen is the father of Sreekantra Patanjali, who is the most famous Indian metaphysician after his time. Aiming to prove the existence of God, he made use of miracles and the arguments of all the known religions and intellectual thoughts. Avakas Swarup argued that knowledge can be attained through intuition and faith.
According to the Idealists, Indian philosophy should be a religion. According to the Anti Abelites, Indian philosophy should be a purely practical science, devoted to helping a man get along in the world. On the other hand, the Scientific Revolutionists wanted to demonstrate that everything that can be observed with the senses can also be studied experimentally. Among the last three, Raimundoaldo has been credited with having a very significant effect on Indian metaphysics.
As already mentioned earlier, Hinduism and Buddhism, being the two main branches of the Buddhist religion, have had an enormous impact on Indian metaphysics. However, Hinduism and Buddhism differ mainly in their foundations. The Hindu philosophers primarily adhere to the Upanishads as their primary source material. The heterodoxy of Buddhism consists mainly of the Mahayana Buddhist school.
The above mentioned are some of the main ideas, which are used to understand the aims and objectives of Indian Philosophy. Indian metaphysics is constantly under the influence of tradition and the pre-human past. Indian metaphysics strives to understand the relation of the soul, the mind and the human body. With this knowledge, Indian philosophers attempt to solve problems regarding life, knowledge and reality.