The Rise of Nonviolent and Vegetarian Philosophical Thinking
There is an old country in Europe called Greece, which we also know as Greece. In this Greece, about 580 years before Christ, a philosopher named Pythagoras was born, which today's world knows as a mathematician. Pythagoras died about 500 years before Christ. During this period new philosophical ideas were emerging in China, India and Iran.
The forerunner of this work in Greece was Pythagoras. Indian philosophers Lord Buddha and Mahavir Swami, Chinese philosophers Mahatma Confucius and Lao Tzu and Iranian philosopher Zarathust happened in the same period as Pythagoras. It was an era of explosion of new ideas. Almost the whole world was being influenced by these new ideas.
It was astonishing that all these philosophers sitting thousands of kilometers away from each other at the same time were propounding the ideas that were strikingly similar. All these philosophers were laying special emphasis on non-violence and vegetarianism. Pythagoras was also an utter vegetarian and his disciples could only be vegetarian humans.
Pythagoras is the first sage of European history about whom written evidence is found. Pythagoras founded an ideological movement called Pythagoreanism, which can also be called the religious school of that period. During his lifetime he was considered a mystic philosopher.
Herodotus called him the most capable philosopher of the Greeks. The name Pythagoras links him to the Greek gods named Pythia and Apollo. Aristippus explains the meaning of his name by saying that he spoke no less truth (Agor) than the Greek god Pythian (Pyth).
Lumblicas wrote that Pythia (Greek god) gave birth to Pythagoras' pregnant mother 'Pythaeus' It was predicted that she would give birth to a very beautiful and intelligent child, which would prove beneficial for mankind.
Pythagoras is mainly known as 'Pythagoras Theorem' Known for, which is named after him. Pythagoras as 'Father of Numbers' also known as. Pythagoras had an important contribution to religious teaching and philosophy in the 6th century BC. He is the leading philosopher of the pre-Socratic era.
Pythagoras and his disciples believed that- 'Everything in this world is related to mathematics and the ultimate truth is hidden in numbers. For this reason everything can be predicted through mathematics and everything can be measured as a rhythmic pattern or cycle.'
According to the Greek philosopher thinker Lamblikas, Pythagoras said that- 'Number is the ruler of thoughts and forms and the cause of gods and demons.' Pythagoras was the first thinker in Europe to call himself a philosopher or lover of wisdom. The ideas of Pythagoras later led to 'Plato' made a deep impact on it.
Unfortunately, very few facts are known about Pythagoras, as little remains of his original writings. Many of the achievements that are counted in the name of Pythagoras are actually those of his associates and successors.
Pythagoras was born in a city called 'Samos', which is a Greek island in the eastern Aegean, on the edge of Asia Minor. His mother Pythaeus was a resident of 'Samos' and father Menesarchus was a 'Phoenician merchant'. Pythagoras left his birthplace 'Samos' at a young age and went to the island of 'Croton' (Croton) in the south of Italy, escaping from the tyrannical government of Polycrates.
After a few days from there he went to the island named 'Calbria' and after some time he came to Italy. In Italy, he founded a secret religious society that was similar to and possibly influenced by the early Orphic Cult.
According to Lamblikas, Thales was very much impressed by the abilities of Pythagoras, he advised Pythagoras to go to a city called 'Memphis' located in Egypt and study there with the priests who were known for their intelligence. Pythagoras learned some geometric principles in Egypt, which inspired him to formulate the 'Pythagoras Theorem'.
Pythagoras tried to improve the cultural life of the people and inspired them to follow virtue. Many people became his followers who were called Pythagoreans. Pythagoras established a cultural center or hermitage for his disciples, whose rules were very strict.
Boys and girls studied equally in this ashram. His disciples called themselves 'Methmetkoi'. He lived in the ashram, had no personal property of his own and was given vegetarian food by the ashram. In AD 1714, Richard Blackmore wrote a book called 'The Le Monastery' in which he wrote about the religious beliefs of the Pythagoreans. This was the first example of a monk's life inscribed in European history.
According to Lamblikas, Pythagoras followed a life consisting of religious teaching, simple food, exercise, reading and philosophical study. Music was an essential part of this life. The disciples of Pythagoras regularly sang collective hymns to appease the deity 'Apollo'. They used the veena to cure ailments of the soul and body. To enhance memory, poetry was recited in the ashram before sleeping.
Levius Josephus wrote that according to Hermippus of Samarna, Pythagoras was familiar with Jewish beliefs and incorporated some of them into his philosophy. In the last stage of the life of Pythagoras, a conspiracy was hatched by a noble sala (feudal) of Crotons against Pythagoras and his followers, due to which Pythagoras went to a place called Metapontum in Italy. It is believed that Pythagoras died there at the age of 90. Bertrand Russell wrote in the History of Western Philosophy - 'Pythagoras had a great influence on Plato and other philosophers.'
The followers of Pythagoras were called Pythagoreans and were called 'philosopher-mathematician' was considered. These followers introduced axial geometry, about which two centuries later 'Euclid' wrote in his book 'The Elements' written in Pythagoras propounded a law of peace called acamythia. Breaking this rule was punishable by death.
Pythagoras believed that a person's words were usually casual, leading to his misrepresentation. If a person has any doubts, he should remain silent. Another rule of his was that anyone in distress should be helped, not let him down, because encouraging inaction is a great sin. He said that do not go back after leaving the house for the fulfillment of any purpose or resolution, because the furis (Greek god) will be with you. Pythagoras said that man should learn the truth about creation, God and mathematics.
Biography of Pythagoras written nearly 700 years after Pythagoras' death 'Porphyry' It is said that the teachings of Pythagoras brought peace to man. This peace was not of any ordinary kind, but wonderful. Pythagoreans means 'disciples of Pythagoras' There were two types.
The inner group of disciples was called the Mathematikoi (mathematicians) and the outer group was called the Akousmatikoi. Porphyry states that the Mathematikoi learned the knowledge in greater detail and that the Akousmatikoi listened only to the summaries and headings of Pythagoras' writings. According to Lamblikas, the Akousmatikoi were ordinary disciples who listened to Pythagoras' lectures from outside a screen.
The Akousmatikoi were not allowed to see their master Pythagoras and were not taught the inner secrets of the Pythagorean doctrine. Instead, they were taught behavior and morals in a secret manner and brief things with hidden meanings were told. The Akousmatikoi considered the Mathematicoi to be true Pythagoreans. After some time a dispute arose between these two types of disciples.
An enraged Akousmatikoi disciple named 'Cohort' of Cyclone killed some Mathematikoi disciples. After this, the two groups were completely separated from each other, with Pythagoras' wife Theno and their two daughters led by the Mathematicoi. Theno was the daughter of an Orphic follower and a mathematician herself.
He also wrote several books on mathematics, physics, medicine and child psychology, of which nothing remains. His most important work is 'Golden Mean' Writing a book on the philosophical theory of. At that time, the woman was considered the property of her husband and she was only supposed to take care of her husband's household, Pythagoras accepted equal status for women to work.
There were many types of superstitions and taboos in the European society of the Pythagorean era. It was forbidden for a person to set foot on a cross-bar and eat beans. It was considered unlucky to pass under a ladder. Pythagoras opposed these things. So to defame Pythagoras, people called him 'Mysticos logos' given a derogatory title called (mysterious person).
To avoid ridicule of such people, the disciples of Pythagoras adapted the teachings of Pythagoras into mystical terminology. Later the Greek philosopher Aristotle (BC384-BC322) explained that term. For example the teaching of Pythagoras - 'Don't step on balance' Meaning:Don't be greedy. 'Don't strike fire with a sword' It meant - do not talk in sharp words to an angry person. 'Don't eat the heart' It meant - do not get yourself caught in sorrow.
'Transmigration of souls' to the Pythagoreans Also known for the theory of He also propounded the theory that 'In numbers resides the true nature of things.'
Pythagoras 'Purification Sacraments' adopted and developed different rules of living. He believed that these rules would enable man to attain a high position among the gods. Most Mystic Theories of Pythagoras 'Orphic Tradition' Taken from.
The ideas of Pythagoras regarding the soul are similar to those of 'Pherecidus' of Cyros. Pherecidus is considered the first Greek to teach about the transmigration of souls. He was the teacher of Pythagoras. Pherecidus 'Penta Maycos' (Five Secret Cavities) Taught about the soul in the words of. The most likely origin of the Pythagorean use of the pentagram was his use as a symbol of inner health.
Pythagoras was also a great musician of his time. He wanted to improve the music prevalent at that time. He believed that there was not enough harmony in this music and it was too busy. According to an ancient legend, one day Pythagoras passed by a blacksmith.
He heard the beautiful and harmonious voice coming from the blacksmith's anvils and realized that musical notes could be translated into mathematical equations. Because whatever scientific law or reason there is for the timbre of sound, it must be mathematical and can be applied to music.
He went to the blacksmith and looked at his tools and tried to find out how it happened! He found that the anvils were in simple proportion to each other. One was half the size of the first, the other two-thirds the size, and so on.
Pythagoras elaborated on the theory of numbers, the exact meaning of which remains a matter of debate among scholars even today. Pythagoras believed in the 'regularity' of the celestial bodies. He believed that the planets and stars move according to mathematical equations, some similarity is found in the notes of music and from this a melodious music is produced.
One of the beliefs of Pythagoras was that the essence of life is numbers. Thus, the constancy of all things makes up the universe. Things like health depend on a constant ratio of elements. Too little or too much of anything is the cause of imbalance which can make any organism sick. He used to compare ideas to calculations of numbers.
Pythagoras's theorem is considered a marvelous mathematical achievement of that period. According to this theorem, the sum of the squares of two sides of a right triangle is equal to the square of the diagonal. It is believed that this theorem was used by the Babylonians even before Pythagoras and by the Indians before them. Pythagoras learned this theorem from the Egyptians.
Pythagoras' approach was both religious and scientific. According to him, science and religion are related to each other. Religiously, Pythagoras was a follower of metapsychosis. He believed in transmigration of the soul i.e. reincarnation. उसका मानना था कि आत्मा जब तक सदाचारी नहीं हो जाती तब तक वह मानव, पशु, या सब्जियों में बार-बार अवतार लेती रहती है।
पुनर्जन्म के सम्बन्ध में पाइथोगोरस का यह विचार प्राचीन यूनानी धर्म से प्रभावित था। वह पहला दार्शनिक था जिसने यह प्रस्तावित किया कि विचार-प्रक्रिया आत्मा एवं मस्तिष्क में स्थित है न कि हृदय में। पाईथोगोरस का कहना था कि उसे अपने पिछले चार जीवन विस्तार से याद हैं। उसे अपने एक मृत मित्र के रोने की आवाज एक कुत्ते के भौंकने में सुनाई देती थी।
अरस्तू ने पाइथोगोरस को एक अलौकिक व्यक्ति के रूप में वर्णित किया है जो आश्चर्यजनक कार्य करता था। पाइथोगोरस की एक जांघ सोने की थी जिससे वह स्वयं को अपोलो का पुत्र कहता था। उसने इस जांघ का प्रदर्शन एक बार ओलम्पिक खेलों के दौरान किया था। उसके पास सूर्यदेव का दिया हुआ ऐसा तीर था जिसकी सहायता से वह उड़कर दूरस्थ स्थानों पर भी पहुँच जाता था।
एक बार उसे क्रोतों तथा मेटापोंटम नामक दो अलग-अलग स्थानों पर एक ही समय में देखा गया था। अरस्तू ने पाइथोगोरस को गोल्डन थाई के साथ ऐसे स्वरूप में वर्णित किया जो देवत्व की पहचान है। अरस्तू और अन्य लोगों के अनुसार, कुछ प्राचीन लोग मानते थे कि पाईथोगोरस में न केवल अन्तरिक्ष और समय से होकर यात्रा करने की क्षमता है अपितु जानवरों और पौधों के साथ बात करने की भी क्षमता है।
र्ब्युअर्स डिक्शनरी ऑफ फ्रेस एंड फेबल के अनुसार पाइथोगोरस के पास एक गोल्डन थाई था जिसे उसने उत्तर देश के पुजारी एबेरिस को दिखाया था और उसका प्रदर्शन ओलिंपिक खेलों में भी किया था। र्ब्युअर के शब्दकोश में पाइथोगोरस द्वारा चन्द्रमा के सम्बन्ध में किए गए वर्णन का उल्लेख है। पाइथोगोरस का दावा था कि वह चन्द्रमा पर लिख सकता है। उसके अनुसार एक दर्पण पर रक्त से लिखा जाये और उसे चाँद के सामने रख दिया जाये तो चाँद की डिस्क पर लेख प्रतिबिंबित होगा।
पाईथोगोरस यह सोचने वाले पहले व्यक्तियों में से था कि पृथ्वी गोल है और समस्त ग्रहों का एक अक्ष है। समस्त ग्रह एक केन्द्रीय बिंदु के चारों और घूमते हैं। उसने कहा कि यह केन्द्रीय बिंदु पृथ्वी है, किन्तु बाद में कहा कि यह केन्द्रीय बिंदु ‘अग्नि’ है जिसे उसने कभी भी सूर्य के रूप में नहीं पहचाना। चाँद एक अन्य ग्रह है जिसे उसने ‘काउंटर अर्थ’ कहा, बाद में उसने सीमित-असीमित में विश्वास जताया।
प्राचीन रोम और नूमा पोम्पिलिअस की किवदंतियों के अनुसार रोम का दूसरा राजा, पाइथोगोरस के अधीन अध्ययन करता था। पाइथोगोरस ने एक गुप्त समाज की स्थापना की जो ‘पाइथोगोरियन ब्रदरहुड’ कहलाती थी, यह गणित के अध्ययन को समर्पित थी। इसका भावी ज्ञान की गुप्त परम्पराओं पर गहरा प्रभाव पड़ा, जैसे रोसीक्रुसीएनिज्म और फ्रीमेसनरी। ये दोनों समूह गणित के अध्ययन को समर्पित थे।
दोनों का दावा था कि वे पाइथोगोरियन ब्रदरहुड से विकसित हुए हैं। पाइथोगोरस के गणित के रहस्यमयी और गुप्त गुणों की चर्चा पी हाल के अध्याय ‘दी सेक्रेट टीचिंग्स ऑफ ऑल एजेज’ में की गयी है जिसका शीर्षक है- ‘पाइथोगोरियन मेथमेटिक्स।’
पाइथोगोरस के सिद्धांत ने आने वाले समय में संख्या विज्ञान पर गहरा प्रभाव डाला तथा उसका संख्या सिद्धांत प्राचीन काल में पूरे मध्य-पूर्व में लोकप्रिय हुआ। 8वीं सदी के मुस्लिम कीमियागर जाबिर इब्न हयान ने व्यापक संख्या विज्ञान पर काम किया, वह पाइथोगोरस के सिद्धांत से बहुत अधिक प्रभावित था।