The theory of reincarnation and the journey of the soul : a comparison between ancient Greek and Indian belief.
Date
2015
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Abstract
The objective of this dissertation is to demonstrate that, although contemporary
Hinduism and ancient Greek philosophy are far removed from each other by time and
geography, the ancient Greeks and Indians nevertheless shared similar ideas with regard
to the soul and reincarnation.
To place this research within a scholarly context, the dissertation begins with
some general observations about the concept of reincarnation in human beliefs across
the world. It then continues with an overview of research into the idea of the soul and
reincarnation in these two cultures to find a connection between them. It then proceeds
to trace the evolution and origins of the idea of the soul and its possible reincarnation in
ancient Greek literature. This will be done by an examination of selected ancient Greek
sources to establish a chronological timeline of the development of these ideas/theories.
For the Indian part of this dissertation the idea of the soul and reincarnation will be
determined through an in-depth analysis of Hindu scriptures written in Sanskrit, as well
as by investigating other scholars’ analysis of the Hindu scriptures.
A comparison between the two cultures and their roles within their respective
cultural and religious systems will then be undertaken in order to deduce if there was a
pre-Hellenistic (Indo-European period) exchange between the cultures. This dissertation
seeks to expand on and deepen existing comparative studies in respect of the ancient
Greek and Indian cultures.
Description
M.A. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 2015.
Keywords
Reincarnation., Soul -- Buddhism., Soul -- Hinduism., Buddhist literature, Sanskrit., Theses -- Classics.