A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.442

c5.442

The period of the rise of these schools of philosophy is uncertain, and is entirely a matter of inference, but they are probably later than the fifth century B.C. The Vedānta (Uttara-mīmānsā) is apparently the latest, and is supposed to have been evoked by the teachings of the Buddhists. This would bring it to within three or four centuries B.C. The other schools are to all appearance older than the Vedānta, but it is considered by some that all the schools show traces of Buddhist influences, and if so, the dates of all must be later. It is a question whether Hindu philosophy is or is not indebted to Greek teaching, and the later the date of the origin of these schools the greater is the possibility of Greek influence. Mr. Colebrooke, the highest authority on the subject, is of opinion that “the Hindus were in this instance the teachers, not the learners.”