Sampradaya
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Sampradaya (
Guru-shishya parampara
Sampradayas are living traditions of both teaching and practice within a specific religious-spiritual tradition. They are generally composed of a monastic order within a specific
To ensure continuity through
Continuity of sampradaya
Sampradaya is a body of practice, views and attitudes, which are transmitted, redefined and reviewed by each successive generation of followers. Participation in sampradaya forces continuity with the past, or tradition, but at the same time provides a platform for change from within the community of practitioners of this particular traditional group.[1]
Diksha: Initiation into sampradaya
A particular
Authority on knowledge of truth
Membership in a sampradaya not only lends a level of authority to one's claims on truth in
Mantras which are not received in sampradaya are considered fruitless.[1][note 2]
And another verse states:
Unless one is initiated by a bona-fide spiritual master in the disciplic succession, the mantra he might have received is without any effect.[1][note 3]
As Wright and Wright put it,
If one cannot prove natal legitimacy, one may be cast out as a bastard. The same social standard applies to religious organizations. If a religious group cannot prove its descent from one of the recognised traditions, it risks being dismissed as illegitimate.[3]
Nevertheless, there are also examples of teachers who were not initiated into a sampradaya, Ramana Maharshi being a well-known example.[4][web 1] A sannyasin belonging to the Sringeri Sharada Peetham once tried to persuade Ramana to be initiated into sannyasa, but Ramana refused.[4]
Types of sampradayas
Āstika and nāstika sampradayas
Since ancient times, Indian philosophy has been categorized into āstika and nāstika schools of thought.[5]
Sampradayas of Indian-origin religions have their own
Āstika or orthodox sampradayas
Astika or orthodox sampradayas or schools of Indian philosophy have been called ṣaḍdarśana ("six systems"). This scheme was created between the 12th and 16th centuries by
The āstika schools of philosophy are:- Samkhya – An strongly dualist theoretical exposition of consciousness and matter. Agnostic with respect to God or the gods.
- Yoga – A monotheistic school which emerged from Sankhya and emphasizes practical use of Sankhya theory: meditation, contemplation and liberation.
- Nyāya or logic – The school of epistemology which explores sources of knowledge.
- Vaiśeṣika – An empiricist school of atomism.
- Mīmāṃsā – An anti-ascetic and anti-mysticist school of orthopraxy. This school deals with the correct interpretation of the verses in Vedas.
- Vedānta – The last segment of knowledge in the Vedas, or jñānakāṇḍa (section of knowledge). Vedanta is also referred as Uttara-Mimamsa. Vedānta came to be the dominant current of Hinduism in the post-medieval period.
Nastika sampradayas
Nastika or hetrodox sampradayas do not accept the authority of the Vedas are nāstika philosophies, of which four nāstika (heterodox) schools are prominent:[12]
Polycentric or syncretic sampradayas
Some are syncretic in nature which might adopt mixture of concepts from orthodox schools of Hindu philosophy such as realism of the Nyāya, naturalism of Vaiśeṣika, monism and knowledge of Self (Atman) as essential to liberation of Advaita, self-discipline of Yoga, asceticism and elements of theistic ideas. Some sub-schools share Tantric ideas with those found in some Buddhist traditions. The above sub-schools introduced their own ideas while adopting concepts from orthodox schools of Hindu philosophy such as realism of the Nyāya, naturalism of Vaiśeṣika, monism and knowledge of Self (Atman) as essential to liberation of Advaita, self-discipline of Yoga, asceticism and elements of theistic ideas.[13] Some sub-schools share Tantric ideas with those found in some Buddhist traditions.[16]
Hindu sampradayas
Hindus subscribe to a diversity of ideas on spirituality and traditions, but have no ecclesiastical order, no unquestionable religious authorities, no governing body, no prophet(s) nor any binding holy book; Hindus can choose to be polytheistic, pantheistic, monotheistic, monistic, agnostic, atheistic or humanist.[19][20][21]
Hinduism is subdivided into a number of major sampradayas. Of the historical division into six
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| Vaishnavism |
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According to the Padma Purāṇa, one of the eighteen main Purāṇas, there are four Vaishnava sampradāyas, which preserve the fruitful mantras:[note 4]
All mantras which have been given (to disciples) not in an authorised Sampradāya are fruitless. Therefore, in Kali Yuga, there will be four bona-fide Sampradāyas.[27]
During the
.Each of them were inaugurated by a deity, who appointed heads to these lineages:
| Main Deity | Parampara lineage | Acharya | Primary Mathas | Linked sampradaya |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lakshmi Narayana | Sri Sampradaya |
Ramanuja |
Melukote, Srirangam, Vanamamalai, Tirukkurungudi, Kanchipuram, Ahobila, Parakala | Ramanandi Sampradaya |
| Brahma | Madhva Sampradaya
|
Madhvacharya | ISKCON |
Gaudiya Vaishnavism |
| Rudra | Rudra Sampradaya | Vallabhacharya |
Pushtimarg sect | |
Four Kumāras |
Kumara Sampradaya |
Nimbarkacharya | Kathia Baba ka Sthaan, Nimbarkacharya Peeth, Ukhra Mahanta Asthal, Howrah Nimbarka Ashram |
Other major Vaishnav sampradaya are:
- Swaminarayan Sampradaya, founded in 1801 by Swaminarayan
- Pranami Sampradaya
- Radha Vallabh Sampradaya
- Mahanam Sampraday
- Warkari tradition
- Haridasi tradition[28]
- Sadh Vaishnavism
- Manipuri Vaishnavism
- Samartha Sampradaya
Shaivite sampradayas
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| Shaivism |
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There are three main
The
Tamil
| Sampradaya | Gurus | Sect nowadays | Principle Mathas | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nandinatha Sampradaya[33] | Tirumular | Tamil Siddha Sampradaya ) |
Saiva Siddhanta Temple of Hawaii |
Tirumantiramis one of the significant holy book along with other saivite text. |
| Meykandar Sampradaya[33][34] | Meykandar | Shaiva Siddhanta | Saiva adheenams in South India | trace its origin at Sanatkumara
|
| Adinath Sampradaya[33] | Gorakshanath |
Nath Sampradaya ) |
Nisargadatta Maharaj[35] and International Nath Order[36] | Connected with Inchegiri branch |
| Trika Sampradaya | Durvasa Vasugupta | Kashmir Shaivism | Swami Lakshmanjo Academy[37] and other Kashmir Saivite Mathas | Also known as Ragasya Sampradaya and Trayambaka Sampradaya.[38][39] Starts its gurus at Srikantha, Vasugupta, and Somananda. Sometimes Durvasa also included.[39] |
Nandinatha and Meykandar Sampradayas are associated with the
Advaita Vedanta sampradaya
Advaita Mathas
Adi Sankara founded four Maṭhas (Sanskrit: मठ) (monasteries) to preserve and develop his philosophies. One each in the north, south, east and west of the Indian subcontinent, each headed by one of his direct disciples.
According to Nakamura, these mathas contributed to the influence of Shankara, which was "due to institutional factors".[40] The mathas which he built exist until today, and preserve the teachings and influence of Shankara, "while the writings of other scholars before him came to be forgotten with the passage of time".[41]
The table below gives an overview of the four Amnaya Mathas founded by Adi Shankara, and their details.[web 2]
Shishya (lineage) |
Direction
|
Maṭha | Mahāvākya
|
Veda
|
Sampradaya |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Padmapāda
|
East | Govardhana Pīṭhaṃ
|
Prajñānam brahma (Consciousness is Brahman) | Rig Veda
|
Bhogavala |
| Sureśvara | South | Sringeri Śārada Pīṭhaṃ | Aham brahmāsmi (I am Brahman) | Yajur Veda
|
Bhūrivala |
| Hastāmalakācārya | West | Dvāraka Pīṭhaṃ
|
Tattvamasi (That thou art) | Sama Veda
|
Kitavala |
| Toṭakācārya | North | Jyotirmaṭha Pīṭhaṃ
|
Ayamātmā brahma (This Atman is Brahman) | Atharva Veda
|
Nandavala |
The current heads of the mathas trace their authority back to these figures, and each of the heads of these four mathas takes the title of Shankaracharya ("the learned Shankara") after Adi Sankara.[citation needed]
According to the tradition in Kerala, after Sankara's samadhi at Vadakkunnathan Temple, his disciples founded four mathas in Thrissur, namely
Dashanami sampradaya
Dashanami Sampradaya, "Tradition of Ten Names", is a
The Ekadandi Vedāntins aim for moksha as the existence of the self in its natural condition indicated by the destruction of all its specific qualities.[45] Any Hindu, irrespective of class, caste, age or gender can seek sannyāsa as an Ekadandi monk under the Dasanāmi tradition.
The Ekadandis or Dasanāmis had established monasteries in India and Nepal in ancient times.
Kaumaram sampradaya
Indonesian Hinduism
Hinduism dominated the island of
The term "
Shakta sampradaya
There are 2 Shakta Sampradayas, which revere Shakti - the feminine manifestation of Ishvara. They are as follows:
- Kalikula: Prevalent in Bengal, Assam, Nepal, and Odisha. Primary deity is Kali
- Srikula: Prevalent in Lalita Devi
Smarta Sampradaya
Other classic vedic sampradayas
Shrautism
Shrauta communities are very rare in India, the most well known being the ultra-orthodox Nambudiri Brahmins of Kerala. They follow the "Purva-Mimamsa" (earlier portion of Vedas) in contrast to Vedanta followed by other Brahmins. They place importance on the performance of Vedic Sacrifice (Yajna). The Nambudiri Brahmins are famous for their preservation of the ancient Somayaagam, Agnicayana rituals which have vanished in other parts of India.[citation needed]
Suryaism / Saurism
The Suryaites or Sauras are followers of a Hindu denomination that started in Vedic tradition, and worship
Later sampradayas
Ganapatism
Ganapatism is a Hindu denomination in which Lord
Newer sampradayas
The new movements that arose in the 19th to 20th century include:[62]
- Reformist
- Sat Panth
- Dadu Panth (Part of the Sant Mat)
- Kabir Panth (Part of the Sant Mat)
- Pranami Sampraday
- Sathya Sai sampradaya
- Yoga and meditation based
- Art of Living
- Isha Foundation
- Himalayan Yoga and Philosophy
- Prarthana Samaj
- Sahaj Panth(Buddhist and Hindu)
- Self-Realization Fellowship / Yogoda Satsanga
- Swadhyay Parivar
- Transcendental Meditation
- Others
- Hanuman Foundation
- Hindutva
- Inchegeri Sampradaya
- Kapadi Sampradaya
- Mahima Dharma
- Matua Mahasangha
- Nath Panth
- Ramsnehi Sampradaya
- Varkari Panth(Hindu)
Buddhist sampradaya
Buda sampradaya or Buddha sampradāya is a classification based on the observance of Dutch ethnographers of Brahmana caste of Balinese Hinduism into two: Siwa (Shiva) and Buda (Buddha). The other castes were similarly further sub-classified by these 19th-century and early-20th-century ethnographers based on numerous criteria ranging from profession, endogamy or exogamy or polygamy, and a host of other factors in a manner similar to castas in Spanish colonies such as Mexico, and caste system studies in British colonies such as India.[64] This concept of Buddha Sampradāya could be applied to all Buddhist communities.
Jain sampradaya
The Jain sampardaya has various sects or schools of thoughts:
- Jain)
- Taran Panth (Jain)
Sikh samprada
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Khalsa Panth i.e. Sikhism has various sects.
Panj Samprada – early sampardayas
Panj Samparda is the collective name for the following five early sampradayas in early Sikhism, soon after the death of Guru Gobind Singh.
Akaali Nihangs – Typically viewed as the armed forces of the Sikh Panth.[65] As institutionalised by Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th Guru. Within this order there are the two main ones: Buddha Dal - army of elders, and Tarna Dal - army of youth.[66] Connected to these two are several smaller sub-orders.[66] Buddha Dal holds authority in all matters concerning the Akaali Nihang order - the president of Buddha Dal was previously always also the president of the Akaal Takht,[66] the highest temporal authority of the Sikh Panth.[67] Technically the sect belongs to the Sahibzada (son) of the 10th Guru, Baba Fateh Singh.
Nirmalas – Indic scholars within the Sikh Panth. Traditionally studying a vast array of Indic and some non-Indic literature,[65] as well as producing texts. They also engage in dialogue and discourse with other Dharmik paths.[65] Claim institutionalization by the 10th Guru also.[66] There are two main Nirmala branches: Bhai Daya Singh Ji Samparda & Bhai Dharam Singh Ji Samparda - who were two of the Panj Pyare or beloved ones of the 10th Guru. With these two orders there are further sub-orders. Still exist today.[68]
Udasi – An ascetic order who were traditionally caretakers of Gurdwaras and involved in missionary work.[66] Certain practises of theirs diverge from mainstream Sikh belief although they do not promote this to others.[69] The order was started by Baba Sri Chand, the eldest Sahibzada (son) of the 1st Guru, Guru Nanak.[66] Baba Sri Chand is their Gurdev/Ustadh. Still exist today.
Gyaaniyan Samparda – the university of Sikhi, whilst technically not an order, it essentially serves as one.[73] Made up from individuals belonging to all of the above sects. Many branches within this order.[73]
The Damdami Taksal claims direct lineage from the Giani Samparda,[73] although this is a topic of contention.[74]
Later sampardayas
Later sects which emerged in Sikhism are Namdhari, Nirankari, and Radha Soami.
Syncretic sects
See also
- Hindu
- Hindu denominations
- Hindu philosophy
- Hindu texts
- Hindu reform movements
- List of Hindu gurus
- Buddhist
- Jain
- Sikh
Notes
- ^ The word commands much more respect and power in the Indian context than its translations in English does.
- ^ Sampradayavihina ye mantras te nisphala matah
- ^ The original Sanskrit text found in Sabda-Kalpa-Druma Sanskrit-Sanskrit dictionary and Prameya-ratnavali 1.5-6 by Baladeva Vidyabhushana states:
sampradaya vihina ye mantras te nisphala matah
atah kalau bhavisyanti catvarah sampradayinah
sri-brahma-rudra-sanaka vaisnavah ksiti-pavanah
catvaras te kalau bhavya hy utkale purusottamat
ramanujam sri svicakre madhvacaryam caturmukhah
sri visnusvaminam rudro nimbadityam catuhsanah - ^ Quoted in Böhtlingk's Sanskrit-Sanskrit dictionary, entry Sampradāya.[27]
- ^ ek=one. ekadandi=of single staff. tridandi=of three staffs.
References
Written citations
- ^ a b c d e f Gupta 2002.
- ISBN 978-0-415-45677-7, pages 375–377, 397–398
- ^ Wright 1993.
- ^ a b Ebert 2006, p. 89.
- ^ Nicholson 2010.
- ^ Meaning of word Darshana
- ^ Soken Sanskrit, darzana
- ISBN 978-0231149877, pages 2–5
- ^ ISBN 9780231149877.
- ISBN 978-1851685387, Chapter 2, page 26
- ISBN 978-8120801585, pages 60–62
- ISBN 978-1135703226, page 88
- ISBN 978-0823931798, page 22
- ISBN 978-8120812048, Chapter 1
- ISBN 978-0857284334, pages 53, 94, 141–142
- ^ >Johannes Bronkhorst (2012), Free will and Indian philosophy, Antiqvorvm Philosophia: An International Journal, Roma Italy, Volume 6, pages 19–30
- ISBN 978-8120806191, pages 246–249, from note 385 onwards;, Philosophy Now (2013, Subscription Required);
Katie Javanaud (2013), Is The Buddhist 'No-Self' Doctrine Compatible With Pursuing Nirvana? - ISBN 978-0415266055, pages 1–19, 40–44
- ISBN 978-0-415-45677-7, page 8; Quote: "(...) one need not be religious in the minimal sense described to be accepted as a Hindu by Hindus, or describe oneself perfectly validly as Hindu. One may be polytheistic or monotheistic, monistic or pantheistic, even an agnostic, humanist or atheist, and still be considered a Hindu."
- ISBN 978-0123695031, Academic Press, 2008
- ^ MK Gandhi, The Essence of Hinduism, Editor: VB Kher, Navajivan Publishing, see page 3; According to Gandhi, "a man may not believe in God and still call himself a Hindu."
- ISBN 9780857930736.
- ^ Tattwananda n.d.
- ^ Flood 1996, pp. 113, 154.
- ^ Nath 2001, p. 31.
- ISBN 978-0-415-45677-7, pages 17–18, 81–82, 183–201, 206–215, 330–331, 371–375
- ^ a b Apte 1965.
- ISBN 9781610692106.
- ^ ISBN 9780945497899
- ^ "Lineage". Himalayan academy.
- ^ "Lineage". Himalayan accedamy.
- ^ [Civañān̲a Mun̲ivar (1985) "Sivajñāna Māpādiyam" Page 40]
- ^ a b c Hawaii Saiva siddhanta Church article
- ISBN 8182202582
- ^ Nisargathatta maharaj
- ^ International Nath Order Archived 27 January 2016 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Lakshmanjo Academy
- ^ P. N. K. Bamzai (1994) "Culture and Political History of Kashmir"
- ^ ISBN 9788185182384
- ^ Nakamura 2004, p. 680.
- ^ Nakamura 2004, p. 680-681.
- ^ Journal of the Oriental Institute (pp 301), by Oriental Institute (Vadodara, India)
- ^ Indian Sadhus by Govind Sadashiv Ghurye
- ^ Advaitic Concept of Jīvanmukti by Lalit Kishore Lal Srivastava
- ^ A History of Indian Philosophy by Jadunath Sinha.
- ISBN 978-0198709268.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-19-535912-1. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
- ^ "Smarta sect | Hinduism". Encyclopedia Britannica.
- ^ Flood 1996, p. 113.
- ^ Knipe 2015, pp. 36–37.
- ^ Flood 1996, p. 113, 134, 155–161, 167–168.
- ^ Sanderson, Alexis. "The Saiva Age: The Rise and Dominance of Saivism during the Early Medieval Period". In Genesis and Development of Tantrism, edited by Shingo Einoo. Tokyo: Institute of Oriental Culture, University of Tokyo, 2009. Institute of Oriental Culture Special Series, 23, pp. 276–277.
- ISBN 978-0754666387, page 186
- ISBN 978-0195610796, page 150
- ^ ISBN 978-0814794500, page 89
- ISBN 978-8120811461, page 218
- ISBN 0-391-04173-8.
- ISBN 978-0-391-02558-5.
- ISBN 978-0-691-12594-7.
- ISBN 90-04-10236-1.
- ISBN 978-0-691-12594-7.
- ISBN 0-7661-4213-2.
- ^ India religion
- ISBN 0-521-21398-3.
- ^ ISSN 1749-8171.
- ^ .
- ISSN 2077-1444.
- ^ "NIRMALA - The Sikh Encyclopedia". 19 December 2000. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
- ^ Singh, Sulakhan. "HETERODOXY IN SIKHISM: THE CASE OF THE UDASlS." Proceedings of the Indian History Congress. Vol. 43. Indian History Congress, 1982.
- ^ Singh, Jay. Teach Me about Sikhism. Trafford Publishing, 2002.
- ^ Mahal, Ramandeep. "Bhai Kanhaiya ji: A Humanitarian Soul."
- ^ Shriniwas, Geeta. "sevapanthi sampradaya itihash aur vikas."
- ^ a b c Singh, Nirbhai. Philosophy of Sikhism: Reality and its manifestations. Atlantic Publishers & Distri, 1990.
- ^ "Damdami Taksaal - Some people say the Damdami Taksaal are supposedly descended from the Nirmale sampradiya. However, your website states that the lineage stems from Baba Deep Singh Ji. What is the truth of the matter?". www.damdamitaksal.com. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
Web citations
- ^ Sri Ramanasramam, "A lineage of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi?" Archived 13 January 2012 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Adi Shankara's four Amnaya Peethams". Archived from the original on 26 June 2006. Retrieved 20 August 2006.
- ^ Mathas of the Dasanami-sanyasis of Lalitpur
Sources
- Apte, V.S. (1965), The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary: containing appendices on Sanskrit prosody and important literary and geographical names of ancient India, Motilal Banarsidass Publ.
- Ebert, Gabriele (2006), Ramana Maharshi: His Life, Lulu.com
- Gupta, R. (2002), Sampradaya in Eighteenth Century Caitanya Vaisnavism, ICJ
- Michaels, Axel (2004), Hinduism. Past and present, Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press
- Nakamura, Hajime (2004), A History of Early Vedanta Philosophy. Part Two, Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited
- Wright, Michael and Nancy (1993), "Baladeva Vidyabhusana: The Gaudiya Vedantist", Journal of Vaiṣṇava Studies
Further reading
- Federico Squarcini, 2011, Boundaries, Dynamics and Construction of Traditions in South Asia.
- Leela Prasad, 2012, Poetics of Conduct: Oral Narrative and Moral Being in a South Indian Town.
- Monika Horstmann, Heidi Rika Maria Pauwels, 2009, Patronage and Popularisation, Pilgrimage and Procession.
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