Timeline of Eastern philosophers

Timeline of Eastern | Western philosophers

This is a wide-ranging chronological list of philosophers from the Eastern traditions of philosophy, with special interest in Indo-Chinese philosophy. The list stops at the year 1950, after which philosophers fall into the category of contemporary philosophy.

Chinese philosophers

Ancient Chinese philosophers

Before 256 BCE (until the end of the Zhou dynasty)

Guan Zhong (died in 645 BCE)
Confucius (traditionally 551–479 BCE) — founder of Confucianism
Sun Tzu (c. 544–c. 496 BCE) — military philosopher
Laozi (probably 6th century BCE) — founder of Taoism

475–221 BCE (Warring States period)

Mozi (c. 470–c. 390 BCE) — political and religious philosopher
Liezi (c. 440–c. 360 BCE)
Gaozi (c. 420 BCE)
Mencius (most accepted dates: 372–289 BCE; other possible dates: 385–303 BCE or 302 BCE) — political philosopher, social contract
Xu Xing (c. 315 BCE)
Gongsun Longzi (fl. 300 BCE) — School of Names
Hui Shi (4th century BCE)—School of Names
Shang Yang (died 338 BCE) — Legalist bureaucrat
Shen Buhai (died 337 BCE) — Legalist bureaucrat
Shen Dao (c. 350–275 BCE)
Song Xing (360–290 BCE)
Yang Zhu (370–319 BCE)— Usually classified as a Hedonist
Zhuang Zhou (Zhuangzi, c. 4th century BCE) — major Taoist philosopher
Xunzi (c. 310–237 BCE) — Confucianist, pessimistic about human nature
Zou Yan (305?–240? BCE)— School of Naturalists, Yin-Yang, Five Elements
Han Feizi (died 233 BCE) — totalistic legalism
Lü Buwei (290–235 BCE)

221 BCE–220 CE (Qin, Han and Xin dynasties)

Jia Yi (201–169 BCE)
Dong Zhongshu (c. 176–c. 104 BCE)
Liu An (179–122 BCE)
Wang Chong (27–97 CE)
Yang Xiong (53 BCE–18 CE)
Zheng Xuan (127–200 CE)
He Yan (190–249 CE)

220 CE–907 CE (Three Kingdoms period to Tang dynasty)

Ruan Ji (210–263)
Ji Kang (223–262)
Wang Bi (226–249) — commentator on the Tao Te Ching and the I Ching
Pei Wei (267–300)
Guo Xiang (died 312)
Zhi Dun (314–366)
Lushan Huiyuan (334–416)
Sengzhao (384–414)
Ge Hong (4th century)
Tan-luan (476–542)
Dazu Huike (487–593)
Nanyue Huisi (515-577)
Zhiyi (538–597)
Jizang (549–623)
Dushun (557–640)
Dayi Daoxin (580–651)
Hong Ren (601–674)
Xuanzang (602–664)
Yuquan Shenxiu (606–706)
Shandao (613–681)
Cheng Xuanying (631–655)
Huineng (638–713)
Fazang (643–712)
Shenhui (684–758)
Shitou Xiqian (700–790)
Mazu Daoyi (709–788)
Baizhang Huaihai (720–814)
Li Ao (722–841)
Qingliang Chengguan (738–839)
Han Yu (768–824)
Zhaozhou Congshen (778–897)
Zongmi (780–841)
Huangbo Xiyun (?–850)
Linji Yixuan (died 866)
Yunmen Wenyan (864 – 949)

907–1368 (Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period to Yuan dynasty)

Xuedou Chongxian (980–1052)
Fan Zhongyan (989–1052)
Hu Yuan (993–1059) — revived Confucianism
Shao Yung (1011–1077)
Zhou Dunyi (1017–1073)
Chang Tsai (1020–1077)
Cheng Hao (1032–1085) — established the Confucian "School of Mind"
Cheng Yi (1033–1107)
Yuanwu Keqin (1063–1135)
Dahui Zonggao (1089–1163)
Hu Hong (1105-1161)
Zhu Xi (1130–1200) — thinker of the Confucianist "School of Principle"
Lu Jiuyuan (1139–1193)
Wumen Huikai (1183–1260)

1368–1912 (Ming and Qing dynasties)

Chen Xianzhang (1428–1500)
Wang Yangming (1472–1529)
Wang Gen (1483-1541)
He Xinyin (1517-1579)
Li Zhi (1527–1602)
Jiao Hong (1540–1620)
Liu Tsung-chou (1578–1645)
Huang Zongxi (1610–1695)
Wang Fuzhi (1619–1692)
Yen Yuan (1635–1704)
Li Gong (1659–1733)
Dai Zhen (1724–1777)
Zhang Xuecheng (1738–1801)
Yu Zhengxie (1775–1840) — prominent scholar and male feminist, philosopher, philologist, astrologer
Kang Youwei (1858–1927)
Tan Sitong (1864–1898)
Sun Yat-sen (1866–1925)
Liang Qichao (1873–1929)
He Zhen (1884–1920)

Modern Chinese philosophers

1912–1950

Ch'ien Mu (1895–1990)
Thomé H. Fang (1899–1976)
Feng Youlan (1895–1990)
Xiong Shili (1885–1968)
Xu Fuguan (1903–1982)
Hu Shih (1891–1962)
Liang Shuming (1893–1988)
Zhang Dongsun (1886–1973)
Liu Shaoqi (1898–1969)
Mao Zedong (1893–1976)
Mou Tsung-san (1909–1995)
T'ang Chun-i (1909–1978)
Hao Wang (1921–1995)

Indian philosophers

Ancient Indian philosophers

Early Vedic age 1500-800 BCE (Saptarishi)

Vasishtha
Atri
Vishvamitra
Agastya
Gautama Maharishi
Jamadagni
Bharadwaja
Dirghatamas, famous for his monistic views
Lopamudra, the earliest female philosopher

Late Vedic age 800–400 BCE (Sectarianism)

Parshvanatha (between 872 and 772 BCE) is the earliest Jain tirthankara who is generally acknowledged as a historical figure.
Aruni (between 750 and 650 BCE) credited with laying the foundation of Indian atomism
Yajnavalkya (between 700 and 600 BCE) credited for coining Advaita (non-dual, monism), an important tradition within Hinduism
Makkhali Gosala (between 600 and 500 BCE) – founder Ājīvika philosophy
Pāṇini (between 600 and 500 BCE) – made contributions to Philosophy of language and Sanskrit grammar
Siddhartha Gautama (c. 563–483 BCE) – founder of Buddhism
Mahākāśyapa – Most Venerable Mahā Kāshyapa Maha Thero
Bṛhaspati – Founder of Cārvāka philosophy
Mahavira (599–527 BCE) – heavily influenced Jainism, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism
Badarayana (lived between 500 BCE and 400 BCE) – Author of Brahma Sutras
Kapila (c. 500 BCE) founder of Sankhya philosophy

321–184 BCE (Maurya Empire)

Shvetashvatara – Author of earliest textual exposition of a systematic philosophy of Shaivism
Chanakya (c. 350–275 BCE) – A pioneer in the field of economics and political science
Jaimini (c. 300–200 BCE) – Author of Purva Mimamsa Sutras
Aksapada Gautama (c. 2nd century BCE) – founder of Nyaya philosophy
Kanada – founder of Vaisheshika
Pingala – Renowned for his work on Combinatorics and Sanskrit prosody

184 BCE–100 CE (Early Middle Kingdoms Begin—The Golden Age)

Patanjali – Author of Yoga Sutra and a commentary on Panini
Thiruvalluvar (c. 1st century BCE–2nd century CE), best known for authoring the Tirukkuṛaḷ, a collection of couplets on ethics

100–300 (Cholas, Cheras, Pandavas and Kushan Empire)

Nagarjuna (c. 150–250) – founder of Madhyamaka Buddhism
Kundakunda (c. 2nd century), exponent of Jain mysticism and Jain nayas
Umāsvāti or Umasvami (c. 2nd century), author of first Jain work in Sanskrit Tattvārthasūtra

300–550 (Gupta Empire)

Vasubandhu (c. 4th century) – one of the main founders of the Yogacara school
Asanga (c. 4th century) – one of the main founders of the Yogacara school
Bodhidharma (c. 440–528) – founder of Zen Buddhism
Vatsyayana (c. 450–500) – author of commentary on Nyāya Sūtras and Kama Sutra
Bhartrhari (450–510) – contributed to linguistic theory
Buddhaghosa (c. 5th century)
Siddhasena Divākara (c. 5th century) – Jain logician and author of important works in Sanskrit and Prakrit
Dignāga (c. 5th century) – one of the Buddhist founders of Indian logic
Bhāviveka (c. 6th century) – founder of the Svātantrika tradition of Mādhyamaka
Śīlabhadra (c. 529–645) He is best known as being an abbot of Nālandā monastery in India, as being an expert on Yogācāra teachings, and for being the personal tutor of the Chinese Buddhist monk Xuanzang.
Udyotakara Udyotakara(c. 6th–7th century) – Nyaya Philosopher

600–900 (Late Middle Kingdoms—The Classical Age)

Candrakirti (born c. 600) – Madhyamaka Buddhist
Kumārila Bhaṭṭa (c. 7th century) – Mimansa Philosopher
Udyanacharya (c. 7th century) – Nyaya Philosopher
Prabhākara (c. 7th century) – Grammarian and Mimansa Philosopher
Dharmakirti (c. 7th century)
Gaudapadacharya (c. 7th century) – Advaita Philosopher
Śāntideva (c. 7th-8th century) – Mahāyāna Buddhist
Adi Shankara (c. 788–820) – Advaita Vedanta school
Anandavardhana (c. 820–890) – Philosopher of Aesthetics
Vasugupta (860–925) – Author of Shiva Sutras
Vācaspati Miśra (c. 9th century) – Nyaya Philosopher
Jayanta Bhatta (c. 9th century) – Nyaya Philosopher

900–1100 (The Islamic Sultanates)

Abhinavagupta (c. 975–1025)
Atiśa (c. 980–1054) He was one of the major figures in the spread of Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism in Asia and inspired Buddhist thought from Tibet to Sumatra
Udayana (c. 10th century) he was a very important Hindu logician who attempted to reconcile the views held by the two major schools of logic (Nyaya and Vaisheshika).
Ramanuja (c. 1017–1137) – founder of Vishishtadvaita or Qualified Non-dualism

1100–1500 (Vijaynagara Empire and Delhi Sultanate)

Gorakshanath (11th- to 12th-centuries)
Basaveshwara (1134–1196) – founder of Lingayatism
Shri Madhvacharya (1238–1317)
Gangeśa Upādhyāya (c. 13th century)
Nimbarka (c. 13th century)
Mādhava Vidyāranya (c. 1268–1386)
Kabir (1440–1518)
Vyasatirtha (c. 1460–1539)
Raghunatha Siromani (c. 1477–1547) — founder of Navya Nyāya philosophy
Vallabhacharya (c. 1479–1531)
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (c. 1486–1534)
Ravidas (1450–1520)

1500–1800 (Mughal Empire, Rajput Kingdoms and Marahtha Confederacy Era)

Mirabai (1498–1557) Bhakti saint & devotee of Krishna
Nanak (c. 1469–1539) – Bhakti Philosopher, Founder of Sikhism
Bhai gurdas :foundation sikh philosophy ,Indian six school interpretation
Madhusūdana Sarasvatī (c. 1540–1640)
Vijñānabhikṣu (c. 1550–1600) – synthesized Vedānta, Sāṃkhya, and Yoga into avibhagādvaita ("indistinguishable non-dualism")
Gadadhara Bhattacharya (17th century) – Nyaya philosopher

Modern Indian philosophers

1800–1947 (Colonial and Postcolonial Era)

Devendranath Tagore (1817–1905)
Dayananda Saraswati (1824–1883) founder of arya samaj
Sai Baba (1835–1918)
Ramakrishna Paramahamsa (1836–1886)
Swami Vivekananda (1863–1902)
Krishna Chandra Bhattacharya (1875–1949) Phenomenology
Narayana Guru (1856–1928)
Rabindranath Tagore (1861–1941)
Brajendranath Seal (1864–1938)
Mahatma Gandhi (1869–1948)
Sri Aurobindo (1872–1950)
Allama Iqbal (1877–1938)
Ramana Maharshi (1879–1950)
Nigamananda (1880–1935)
Gopinath Kaviraj (1887–1976)
Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (1888–1975)
Nolini Kanta Gupta (1889–1983)
Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (1891–1956)
Jiddu Krishnamurti (1895–1986)
A. C. Bhaktivedanta (1896–1977) — founder/acharya of ISKCON (Hare Krishna movement)
Nisargadatta Maharaj (1897–1981)
Haridas Chaudhuri (1913–1975)
Deendayal Upadhyaya (1916–1968)
U. G. Krishnamurti (1918–2007)
Ram Swarup (1920–1998)
Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar (1921–1990)
Sita Ram Goel (1921–2003)
Swami Krishnananda (1922–2001)
Jitendra Nath Mohanty(1928-)
Osho (1931–1990)
Amartya Sen (born 1933)
Bimal Krishna Matilal (1935–1991)
Pandurang Shastri Athavale (1920–2003)

Japanese philosophers

Ancient Japanese philosophers

Until 1185 CE (until the end of the Heian period)

Kūkai (774–835)
Hōnen (1133–1212)

1185–1333 (Kamakura period)

Shinran (1173–1261)
Dōgen Zenji (1200–1253)
Nichiren (1222–1282)

1333–1867 (Muromachi period to Edo period)

Zeami Motokiyo (c. 1363–c. 1443)
Fujiwara Seika (1561–1619)
Miyamoto Musashi (1584–1645)
Kumazawa Banzan (1619–1691)
Itō Jinsai (1627–1705)
Kaibara Ekken (1630–1714)
Ogyū Sorai (1666–1728)
Hakuin Ekaku (1686–1769)
Tominaga Nakamoto (1715–1746)
Motoori Norinaga (1730–1801)
Nishi Amane (1829–1897)

Modern Japanese philosophers

1867–1950

Nishida Kitaro (1870–1945)
D. T. Suzuki (1870–1966)
Tanabe Hajime (1885–1962)
Kuki Shūzō (1888–1941)
Watsuji Tetsuro (1889–1960)
Sakurazawa Yukikazu (George Ohsawa) (1893–1966)
Miki Kiyoshi (1897–1945)
Josei Toda (1900–1958)
Nishitani Keiji (1900–1990)

Korean philosophers

Ancient Korean philosophers

Until 676 CE (until the end of the Three Kingdoms period)

Seungrang (c. 6th century)

676–935 (Unified Silla period)

Woncheuk (613–696)
Wonhyo (617–686)
Uisang (625–702)
Doseon (827–898)
Ch'oe Ch'i-wŏn (born 857)

935–1392 (Goryeo period)

Uicheon (1055–1101)
Jinul (1158–1210)

1392–1910 (Joseon period)

Jeong Do-jeon (1342–1398)
Seo Gyeong-deok (1489–1546)
Yi Eon-jeok (1491–1553)
Jo Sik (1501–1572)
Yi Hwang (1501–1570)
Yi I (1536–1584)
Jeong Je-du (1649–1736)
Yi Gan (1677–1727)
Namdang (1682–1750)
Jeong Yak-yong (1762–1836)
Kim Jeong-hui (1786–1856)
Choi Han-gi (1803–1879)
Choi Je-u (1824–1864)
Yi Je-ma (1838–1900)

Modern Korean philosophers

1910–1950

Ryu Yeong-mo (1890–1981)
Ham Seok-heon (1901–1989)

Tibetan philosophers

Sakya Pandita (1182–1251)
Rangjung Dorje (1284-1339)
Dolpopa (Dol-bo-ba, 1292–1361)
Longchenpa (1308–1364)
Je Tsongkhapa (1357–1419)
Gorampa (1429–1489)
Sakya Chokden 1428–1507)
Gyeltsap Darma Rinchen (1364–1432)
Mikyö Dorje (1507–1554)
Wangchuk Dorje (1556–1603)
Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo (1820–1892)
Jamgön Kongtrül (1813-1899)
Jamgön Ju Mipham (1846–1912)

References

External links

Chinese Philosophy by Richard Hooker