(gymnosophistaí, i.e. "naked philosophers" or "naked wise men" (from Greek γυμνός gymnós "naked" and σοφία sophía "wisdom")) the name given by the Greeks to certain ancient Indian philosophers who pursued asceticism to the point of regarding food and clothing as detrimental to purity of thought.
Used in a Sentence
gymnosophists
Definition, parts of speech, synonyms, and sentence examples for gymnosophists.
Editorial note
If you read the account of Pyrrho, who traveled with Alexander, he was clearly influenced by the naked gymnosophists.
Examples10
Definitions1
Parts of speech1
Quick take
(gymnosophistaí, i.e. "naked philosophers" or "naked wise men" (from Greek γυμνός gymnós "naked" and σοφία sophía "wisdom")) the name given by the Greeks to certain ancient Indian philosophers who pursued asceticism to the point of regarding food and clothing as detrimental to purity of thought.
Meaning at a glance
The clearest senses and uses of gymnosophists gathered in one view.
Definitions
Core meanings and parts of speech for gymnosophists.
N
(gymnosophistaí, i.e. "naked philosophers" or "naked wise men" (from Greek γυμνός gymnós "naked" and σοφία sophía "wisdom")) the name given by the Greeks to certain ancient Indian philosophers who pursued asceticism to the point of regarding food and clothing as detrimental to purity of thought.
Example sentences
If you read the account of Pyrrho, who traveled with Alexander, he was clearly influenced by the naked gymnosophists.
Early advocates of naked yoga in modern times include the gymnosophists such as Blanche de Vries, and the author Marguerite Agniel.
Democritus, the father of antique materialism which lead to Epicurus and Lucretius was heavily influenced by gymnosophists when he traveled to India.
The Indian gymnosophists are also in the number, and the other barbarian philosophers.
Given, this is early 1st century AD Jerusalem, not Greece, but classical Athens was no less cosmopolitan, and the gymnosophists were well attested in Alexander the Great's time.
> the gymnosophists were well attested in Alexander the Great's time.
Quote examples
I seem to remember anecdotes of the greek expedition bringing Cynics along, who seemed to really see eye to eye with the hindu "gymnosophists".
We know, for example, that the Pauliṣa Siddhānta in India contains Hellenistic astronomy; and we know that as far back as Classical Athens, Greek philosophers reported visiting India and studying with "gymnosophists", an ascetic tradition (called Digambara in Sanskrit) which either survives there today or has been coincidentally reinvented in the same subcontinent at least a thousand years ago.
From wikipedia: In the 2nd century CE, the Christian dogmatist, Clement of Alexandria recognized Bactrian Buddhists (śramanas) and Indian gymnosophists for their influence on Greek thought: "Thus philosophy, a thing of the highest utility, flourished in antiquity among the barbarians, shedding its light over the nations.
Saint Jerome (4th century CE) mentions the birth of the Buddha, who he says "was born from the side of a virgin"; it has been suggested that this virgin birth legend of Buddhism influenced Christianity.[20] The early church father Clement of Alexandria (died 215 AD) was also aware of Buddha, writing in his Stromata (Bk I, Ch XV): "The Indian gymnosophists are also in the number, and the other barbarian philosophers.
Frequently asked questions
Short answers drawn from the clearest meanings and examples for this word.
How do you use gymnosophists in a sentence?
If you read the account of Pyrrho, who traveled with Alexander, he was clearly influenced by the naked gymnosophists.
What does gymnosophists mean?
(gymnosophistaí, i.e. "naked philosophers" or "naked wise men" (from Greek γυμνός gymnós "naked" and σοφία sophía "wisdom")) the name given by the Greeks to certain ancient Indian philosophers who pursued asceticism to the point of regarding food and clothing as detrimental to purity of thought.
What part of speech is gymnosophists?
gymnosophists is commonly used as N.