Upanishads Precursors of Indian Religion

[Minimalist]

http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/stories/20080912251806500.htm

In the 8th or the 9th century B.C., the Upanishads were composed out of the philosophic traditions that came from the earliest times of Indic civilisation. The thoughts contained in the Upanishads went on to form the basis of all major faiths in the subcontinent, in times to come.

This is a philosophy that sees a great oneness in all of creation. It is the same that is in each of us, in plants and trees, in animals, even in inanimate objects. All that there is, is perceived to be a part of the One. “Samsara”, the world of separated beings and objects around us, is believed to be an illusion we see owing to the limitations of our senses and sensibilities. (Four or five centuries later, the Greek philosopher Plato voiced similar thoughts about the illusory nature of what we perceive through our senses.)

[Ishtar]

Min

I'm interested to see that you've posted this feature but I'm wondering that the new angle is? Am I missing something ... or is it just something that you're generally interested in and want to discuss?

By the way, they're younger than the Vedas, so strictly speaking, they're not the precursor to the Indian religion.

[Minimalist]

No, it was in the news section and I suspected that you might find it interesting.

As you know, I don't care much for religion of any sort, except in its political applications.

Just doing my job as moderator.

[Ishtar]

No, it was in the news section and I suspected that you might find it interesting.

As you know, I don't care much for religion of any sort, except in its political applications.

Just doing my job as moderator.

Well .. as my old editor used to say: "If it ain't new, it's not news!".

But thank you for doing your job as a moderator!

[Minimalist]

So, since there is nothing new under the sun that means that your editor put out a blank page?

[Ishtar]

So, since there is nothing new under the sun that means that your editor put out a blank page?

That's not true. New things happen every day, and then they put them in the paper.

Like the Olympics, which our papers are full of at the moment, sadly.

[Minimalist]

They made it difficult to avoid the Olympics but I managed for the most part.

[Cognito]

Living in the abyss of ignorance
yet wise in their own conceit,
deluded fools go round and round,
the blind led by the blind.

Katha Upanishad

Somewhat reminds me of an AIG sales convention. I wonder if they had something similar in 1st millenium BC India?