Concept
Eastern esotericism
Overview
Eastern esotericism is a term used by some scholars that loosely encompasses religious beliefs and practices of the Eastern world said to be "esoteric", secret, or occult. Its demarcation as a field, however, is difficult, as it varies depending on the boundaries of geographical and cultural notions of Western and Eastern (such as concerning Islamic nations) and the definition of esotericism, with some scholars arguing it cannot be a concept beyond Western esotericism (which may raise questions about an unsuitable non-emic classification), while others propose a globalizing perspective. Still, it has been employed by scholars who recognize the category, used to denote comparable secret studies and practices, mainly in traditions of Hinduism and Buddhism, and also in other systems, ethnic religions, and syncretisms.
Overview adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0; see the article history for authors).
Possible passages
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This is called the Form of the Formless, and the Semblance of the Invisible; this is called the Fleeting and Indeterminable. 3. We meet it and do not see its Front; we follow it, and do not see its Back. When we can lay hold of the Tao of old to direct the things of the present day, and are able to know it as it was of old in the beginning, this is called (unwinding) the clue of Tao. 15. 1. The skilful masters (of…
Laozi, The Tao Teh King
States what Eastern esotericism is; the author is tied to Eastern esotericism in the knowledge graph.
The circle of sacred objects cannot be determined, then, once for all. Its extent varies infinitely, according to the different religions. That is how Buddhism is a religion: in default of gods, it admits the existence of sacred things, namely, the four noble truths and the practices derived from them.[65]
Émile Durkheim, The Elementary Forms of the Religious Life
States what Eastern esotericism is.
Again, the reasoning (speaking) power is sometimes so fitted out in a few persons through [K]vigils and conjunction with the universal mind as to be quite independent of taking refuge unto syllogistic argument and reflection, but rather is sufficiently stored with inspiration and revelation to render it wholly absolved from such ordinary means as mental ratiocination: this peculiar property of the reasoning mind is…
Avicenna, A Compendium on the Soul
States what Eastern esotericism is; the author is tied to Eastern esotericism in the knowledge graph.
Philosophers who discussed Eastern esotericism
Related ideas
- Prajñā (Buddhism)
- Freemasonry
- Avicenna
- Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz
- Abhinavagupta
- Hinduism
- Heraclitus
- Hinayana
- Yin and yang
- Iran
- Vedas
- Zurvanism
- Heian period
- Gemistos Plethon
- Daozang
- Natha Sampradaya
- Edo period
- Helena Blavatsky
- Kabbalah
- Dong Zhongshu
- Avestan
- Denkard
- Levant
- Eastern world
Opposing perspectives
Place in the tradition
Part of Meaning of life.