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{{Short description|Ancient Indian vegetarian ascetics}}
{{About|ancient Indian philosophers|a modern philosophy under the same name|Gymnosophy}}
[[File:IskandarGymnosophists.jpg|thumb|[[Alexander]] meets the Gymnosophists, [[Shahnama]], 1335 AD, Freer Gallery of Art]]
'''Gymnosophists''' ({{lang-grc|γυμνοσοφισταί}}, ''gymnosophistaí'', i.e. "naked philosophers" or "naked wise men")<ref>{{LSJ|gumnosofistai/|γυμνοσοφισταί|ref}}</ref> is the name given by the [[Ancient Greece|Greeks]] to certain ancient [[Indian philosophy|Indian philosophers]] who pursued [[asceticism]] to the point of regarding food and clothing as detrimental to purity of thought. They were noted to have been vegetarian by several Greek authors. The above description very well matches with Jain Digambara Saints who practice extreme penance in terms of fasting and don't eat root vegetables, vegetables with many seeds etc. There were also gymnosophists in [[Upper Egypt]] who were called Ethiopean Gymnosophists by [[Apollonius of Tyana]].<ref>{{cite book |chapter-url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/cla/aot/aot/aot11.htm |chapter=Section X. The Gymnosophists of Upper Egypt. |first=G. R. S. |last=Mead |year=1901 |title=Apollonius of Tyana}}</ref>

In [[Greek literature]], they are mentioned in association with the Persian [[magi]], the [[Chaldaea]]ns of the Assyrians or the Babylonians, the [[druid|druids]] of the [[Celts]], and the [[Ancient Egyptian religion|priests]] of Egypt, etc.<ref>{{cite journal |url=https://grbs.library.duke.edu/article/viewFile/1451/1541 |title=The Gymnosophist Riddle Contest (Berol. P. 13044): A Cynic Text? |first=Philip R. |last=Bosman |year=2010 |journal=Greek, Roman, and Byzantine Studies |issue=50 |pages=175–192}}</ref> Some sources claim that famous figures such as [[Lycurgus of Sparta|Lycurgus]], [[Pythagoras]], and [[Democritus]] may have met them. They are mentioned by authors such as [[Philo]], [[Lucian]], [[Clement of Alexandria]], [[Philostratus]], and [[Heliodorus of Emesa]]. These reports are thought to have served as models to [[Cynicism (philosophy)|Cynics]] as well as Christian ascetics. Many authors have discussed the purported questions by [[Alexander the Great]] and answers by the Gymnosophists.<ref>[http://ptf.edu.pl/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/7_EOS-2011-1-Szalc.pdf Alexander's Dialogue with Indian Philosophers. Riddle in Greek and Indian Tradition, A Szalc - Eos, 2011]</ref>

[[File:Gimnosofisti.jpg#/media/File:Gimnosofisti.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Medieval miniature reproducing the meeting of the gymnosophists with Alexander, c. 1420, Historia de proelis]]

==Ancient accounts==
[[File:MacedonEmpire.jpg|thumb|Map of [[Alexander the Great]]'s empire and his route to India|311x311px]]

The term gymnosophist was used by [[Plutarch]] (c. 46–120 CE) in the 1st century CE, when describing an encounter by [[Alexander the Great]] with ten gymnosophists near the banks of the [[Indus]] river in what is now Pakistan.

{{quote|He (Alexander) captured ten of the gymnosophists who had done most to get Sabbas to revolt, and had made the most trouble for the Macedonians. These philosophers were reputed to be clever and concise in answering questions, and Alexander therefore put difficult questions to them, declaring that he would put to death him who first made an incorrect answer, and then the rest, in an order determined in like manner; and he commanded one of them, the oldest, to be the judge in the contest. The first one, accordingly, being asked which, in his opinion, were more numerous, the living or the dead, said that the living were, since the dead no longer existed. The second, being asked whether the earth or the sea produced larger animals, said the earth did, since the sea was but a part of the earth. The third, being asked what animal was the most cunning, said: "That which up to this time man has not discovered." The fourth, when asked why he had induced Sabbas to revolt, replied: "Because I wished him either to die nobly or live." The fifth, being asked which, in his opinion, was older, day or night, replied: "Day, by one day"; and he added, upon the king expressing dissatisfaction, that unusual questions must have unusual answers. Passing on, then, to the sixth, Alexander asked how a man could be most loved; "If," said the philosopher, "he is most powerful, and yet does not inspire fear." Of the three remaining, he who was asked how one might become a god instead of man, replied: "By doing something which a man cannot do"; the one who was asked which was the stronger, life or death, answered: "Life, since it supports so many ills." And the last, asked how long it were well for a man to live, answered: "Until he does not regard death as better than life." So, then, turning to the judge, Alexander bade him give his opinion. The judge declared that they had answered one worse than another. "Well, then," said Alexander, "thou shalt die first for giving such a verdict." "That cannot be, O King," said the judge, "unless thou falsely saidst that thou wouldst put to death first him who answered worst." These philosophers, then, he dismissed with gifts...|Plutarch, "Life of Alexander", ''[[Parallel Lives]]'', 64–65.<ref>[https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Plutarch/Lives/Alexander*/9.html#64 Life of Alexander], 64–65</ref>}}

[[Diogenes Laërtius]] (fl. 3rd century AD) refers to them, and reports that [[Pyrrho]] of Ellis was influenced by the gymnosophists while in India with Alexander the Great, and on his return to Ellis, imitated their habits of life and caused him to found the [[Hellenistic philosophy]] of [[Pyrrhonism]].<ref>(ix. 61 and 63)</ref>

[[Strabo]] (64 or 63 BC – c. AD 24) says that gymnosophists were religious people among the Indians (XVI,I), and otherwise divides Indian philosophers into [[Brahmin]]s and [[Śramaṇa]]s (XV,I,59–60), following the accounts of [[Megasthenes]]. He further divides the Sramanas into "Hylobioi" (forest hermits, c.f. [[Aranyaka]]) and "Physicians".

{{Quote|Of the Sarmanes, the most honourable, he says, are the Hylobii, who live in the forests, and subsist on leaves and wild fruits: they are clothed with garments made of the bark of trees, and abstain from commerce with women and from wine.|Strabo XV|I,60}}

{{Quote|Of the Sarmanes ... second in honour to the Hylobii, are the physicians, for they apply philosophy to the study of the nature of man. They are of frugal habits, but do not live in the fields, and subsist upon rice and meal, which every one gives when asked, and receive them hospitably. ... Both this and the other class of persons practise fortitude, as well in supporting active toil as in enduring suffering, so that they will continue a whole day in the same posture, without motion.|Strabo XV|I,60}}

Philo Judaeus (c. 20 BCE – c. 50 CE), also called mentions the gymnosophists twice in the course of listing foreign ascetics and philosophers who are, in his estimation, "prudent, and just, and virtuous" and therefore truly free:

{{Quote|And among the Indians there is the class of the gymnosophists, who, in addition to natural philosophy, take great pains in the study of moral science likewise, and thus make their whole existence a sort of lesson in virtue.|[[Philo Judaeus]]|''Every Good Man is Free'', 74}}

{{Quote|But it is necessary for us ... to bring forward as corroborative testimonies the lives of some particular good men who are the most undeniable evidences of freedom. [[Calanus (person)|Calanus]] was an Indian by birth, one of the gymnosophists; he, being looked upon as the man who was possessed of the greatest fortitude of all his contemporaries, and that too, not only by his own countrymen, but also by foreigners, which is the rarest of all things, was greatly admired by some kings of hostile countries, because he had combined virtuous actions with praiseworthy language.|[[Philo Judaeus]]|''Every Good Man is Free'', 92–93}}

In the 2nd century CE, the Christian theologian [[Clement of Alexandria]] distinguishes the gymnosophists, the philosophers of the Indians, from the Sramanas, "the philosophers of the Bactrians":

{{Quote|Philosophy, then, with all its blessed advantages to man, flourished long ages ago among the barbarians, diffusing its light among the [[gentiles]], and eventually penetrated into Greece. Its [[hierophant]]s were the prophets among the [[Ancient Egypt|Egyptians]], the [[Magic_(supernatural)#Mesopotamia|Chaldeans]] among the [[Assyrian people|Assyrians]],<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Viglas |first1=Katelis |title=Chaldean and Neo-Platonic Theology |journal=Philosophia e-Journal of Philosophy and Culture |date=2016 |issue=14 |pages=171–189 |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/311924083|quote=The name “Chaldeans” refers generally to the [[Chaldea]]n people who lived in the land of [[Babylonia]], and especially to the Chaldean “magi” of Babylon......The “Chaldeans” were the guardians of the sacred science: the astrological knowledge and the divination mixed with religion and magic. They were considered the last representatives of the Babylonian sages......In Classical Antiquity, the name “Chaldeans” primarily stood for the priests of the Babylonian temples. In Hellenistic times, the term “Chaldeos” was synonymous with the words “mathematician” and “astrologer”......The [[Neoplatonism|Neo-Platonists]] connected the [[Chaldean Oracles]] with the ancient Chaldeans, obtaining a prestige coming from the East and legitimizing their existence as bearers and successors of an ancient tradition.}}</ref> the [[Druids]] among the [[Galatia]]ns, ''the [[Sramana]]s of the [[Bactrians]]'', and the philosophers of the [[Celts]], the [[Magi]] among the [[Persian people|Persians]] who announced beforehand the birth of the Saviour, being led by a star till they arrived in the land of [[Judea|Judaea]], and ''among the Indians the Gymnosophists'', and other philosophers of barbarous nations.|[[Clement of Alexandria]]|''[[Stromata]]'' 1.15.71 (ed. Colon. 1688 p. 305, A, B)}}

[[Porphyry_(philosopher)|Porphyry]] in the ''Peri Apoches'' gives a description of the Indian philosophers’ diet structured around the distinction between two kinds of gymnosophists: the "Brahmins" and the "Samaneans". The Brahmins are described as ''theosophoi'' by descent. They are vegetarians and eat only fruit, yogurt and rice. They are independent from the king and devote all their time to the worship. "Samaneans" probably refers to Buddhist monks from Bactria. They become philosophers by choice and may descend from any Indian caste. When they become Samaneans, they renounce all their possessions and shave the superfluous hair on their body. They live in communities and spend their time in debates about the divine.<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Vassilopoulou|first1=P.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bI59DAAAQBAJ&q=gymnosophists+brahmins&pg=PA108|title=Late Antique Epistemology: Other Ways to Truth|last2=Clark|first2=S.|date=2009-02-12|publisher=Springer|isbn=978-0-230-24077-3|pages=106|language=en}}</ref>

==Classification==

===Indian===
The philosophical, religious, and tribal identities of the gymnosophists that the Greeks encountered in the 3rd century BC at the town of [[Taxila]] in [[Ancient India]] were not preserved in the ancient Greek literature, leading to much modern speculation. The following have been proposed as non-mutually exclusive possibilities.

====Brahmin====
Some sects of [[Brahmin]]s belonging to Hinduism remained naked, lived in forests, practiced austerities, shaved their heads, ate only fruit and milk and meditated.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Doniger |first1=Wendy |title=On Hinduism |date=2014 |publisher=Oxford University Press USA |isbn=9780199360079 |pages=50 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iM_QAgAAQBAJ&q=naked+brahmin&pg=PA50 |access-date=25 July 2019 |language=en}}</ref>

====Ājīvika====
The [[Ājīvika]] went without clothes. Their antinomian ethics<ref name=james>James Lochtefeld, "Ajivika", ''The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism'', Vol. 1: A–M, Rosen Publishing. {{ISBN|978-0823931798}}, page 22</ref> match those [[Pyrrho]] brought back to Greece from his meetings with the gymnosophists.

====Brachmanes====
The Brachmanes or Bragmanes, who are identified with the [[Brahmana]]s of [[Historical Vedic religion|Vedic religion]], remained unclothed. [[Porphyry (philosopher)|Porphyry]] mentions that they lived on milk and fruits and similar to Vedic Brahmins .

====Digambara====
[[Jain]] [[Digambara]] went naked and preached non-violence and were identified as gymnosophists. <ref name="Williams1829">{{cite book|author=John Williams|title=The Life and Actions of Alexander the Great|url=https://archive.org/details/lifeactionsofale00willia|year=1829|publisher=John Murray|page=[https://archive.org/details/lifeactionsofale00willia/page/n169 314]}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=The Greeks in India: a survey in philosophical understanding|year=2000|publisher=Demetrios Theodossios Vassiliades|pages=46, 49|isbn=9788121509213|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bSJuAAAAMAAJ&q=SABBAS}}</ref>

====Naga sadhu====
The [[Naga sadhu]]s ("naked saints") have been identified with the gymnosophists by some modern writers: they are historically known to carry arms, and learn martial arts which are promoted in their [[akhara]]s. They move totally naked except for the arms they carry.<ref name=p/><ref name=z>{{cite book|title=Autobiography of a Sadhu: A Journey Into Mystic India By Rampuri|year=2010|pages=102|isbn=9781594779718|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=y_vd2XOc7GQC&q=gymnosophists+naga+sadhus&pg=PA102|author1=Rampuri}}</ref> The Naga sadhus,{{#tag:ref|They own several [[akhara]]s and their movements were also of concern to the British, who always kept watchful eyes on them.|group=nb}} are often called Indian gymnosophists.<ref name=p/><ref>''The Spectator'', issue 256, 1986, p. 16. "... the naked ash-smeared Naga sadhus – whom Alexander's men called the gymnosophists – are the most prized."</ref> They are mostly worshipers of [[Shiva]]<ref>{{cite book|title=A handbook of Sanskṛit literature|year=1866|publisher=George Small |pages=191|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EcAIAAAAQAAJ&q=gymnosphists}}</ref> and carry [[Trishula]], swords and even other weapons. They were known for taking up arms to defend their faith.<ref name=p>{{cite book|title=The Penguin book of Indian journeys by Dom Moraes|year=2001|publisher=Viking|pages=97|isbn=9780670912339 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tghuAAAAMAAJ&q=Gymnosophists+hindu+nagas}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Pilgrimage and power: the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad, 1765–1954|year=2008|pages=183|isbn=9780195338942|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MALacgnsroMC&q=naga+sadhus+akhara+british&pg=PA183|last1=MacLean|first1=Kama}}</ref>

====Shramanas====
The ancient [[Shramana]]s, who included both the [[Digambara]] sect of [[Jain muni|Jain monks]] and [[Buddhist]] priests, have been identified as gymnosophists by researchers.<ref>Jacquetta Hopkins Hawkes, ''The Atlas of Early Man'',
St. Martin's Press, 1993.</ref><ref>A. L. Basham, ''My Guruji, Sachindra Kumar Maity'', 1997.</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society |volume=6 |publisher=Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland|date=1841|page=384|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WehJAAAAcAAJ&q=gymnosophist+jain&pg=PA384}}</ref>

===Ethiopian===
The school of naked philosophers in upper Egypt was visited by the [[Neopythagoreanism|Neopythagorean]] philosopher [[Apollonius of Tyana]] (c. 15 – c. 100 AD) who called them Ethiopian Gymnosophists.<ref name=ss>{{cite book|title=Theios Sophistes: Essays on Flavius Philostratus' Vita Apollonii edited by Kristoffel Demoen, Danny Praet|year=2009|page=273|isbn=978-9004171091|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wIumAX2khewC&q=ethiopian+gymnosophists&pg=PA273|last1=Demoen|first1=Kristoffel|last2=Praet|first2=Danny}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author-first=Flavius|author-last=Philostratus|translator-first=Edward|translator-last=Berwick|title=The life of Apollonius of Tyana: Translated from the Greek of Philostratus|year=1809|page=322|location=London|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=R5Y-AAAAcAAJ&pg=PA322}}</ref><ref name="SegoviaSugirtharajah2009">{{cite book|editor-last1=Segovia|editor-first1=Fernando F. |editor-link1=Fernando F. Segovia|editor-last2=Sugirtharajah|editor-first2=R. S.|editor-link2=R. S. Sugirtharajah|title=A Postcolonial Commentary on the New Testament Writings|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qCUUvdv5wn0C|date=2009|publisher=Sheffield University Press|location=Sheffield|isbn=978-0-567-63707-9|page=149}}</ref> Apollonius had met the gymnosophists of India before his arrival in Egypt, and repeatedly compared the Ethiopian Gymnosophists with them. He regarded them to be derived from the Indians. They lived without any cottages nor houses, but had a shelter for the visitors. They did not wear any clothes and thus compared themselves to the Olympian athletes. They shared their vegetarian meal with him.

==See also==
{{Div col|colwidth=18em}}
*[[Gymnosophy]]
*[[Pyrrho]]
*[[Bragmanni]]
*[[Calanus of India]]
*[[Zarmanochegas]]
*[[Dandamis]]
*[[Jain monasticism]]
*[[Sadhu]]
*[[Swami]]
*[[Sramana]]
*[[Yogi]]
*[[Brahmin]]
{{div col end}}

==Notes==
{{Reflist|group=nb}}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}
*{{EB1911|wstitle=Gymnosophists}}

==External links==
*[https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0239&layout=&loc=15.1.73 Strabo on Sramanas and Brahmans]
*[https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0239&query=head%3D%23124 Strabo on Gymnosophists]
*[https://www.livius.org/articles/people/gymnosophists/ Livius.org: Gymnosophists]

[[Category:Asceticism]]
[[Category:Medieval legends]]
[[Category:Indo-Greek religions and philosophy|*]]
[[Category:History of Jainism]]
[[Category:Jainism in Pakistan]]
[[Category:Greek words and phrases]]
[[Category:Hindu practices]]
[[Category:Ancient Indian people]]
[[Category:Nudity in religion]]

Gymnosophists - Revision history

UpdateBot at 08:13, 22 June 2022