I am also sceptical of whether Western philosophers understand Eastern schools beyond the 19th century.
I have studied Eastern schools of thought for 15 years and feel that I am no closer to the day that I started.
It all seemed radical at the time though - Schopenhauer’s ideas definitely did make an impact upon Western thought.
Schopenhauer is often viewed as a semi-physiologist rather than as a philosopher.
Reading the Upanishads is quite interesting as it is presented like a fractal - thoughts within thoughts within thoughts within thoughts within thoughts, etc.
I guess this is how thoughts are layered in our minds and so it makes sense to present something in this way.
The parallels between Schopenhauer ideas and Buddhist philosophy are also quite amazing - identical in parts but lacking in others.
Did he not understand? Did he reject? Or did he deliberately edit out parts that he perceived as far too radical for his time?
I suspect that it was the later - but who knows.
It’s a generalizable law of philosophy in general that the philosopher’s formulations must be original, but when it comes to his insights, they must follow the exact opposite law. He works carefully with stolen, second and third hand goods. He typically snatches them right from the fire and then babies about with them in a lifelong attempt to bring the embers back to life.
A philosopher with truly original insights, in my estimation automatically belongs in the trash-heap. It’s quite some consolation, though, that the topmost part of this heap is usually venerated and lavished with honours by its contemporaries.
On the contrary! In the East they have many comical stories about a tricky character called Mulla Nasreddin. Once, this notable Nasreddin was sitting with a neighbour of his on a little bench by his house, enjoying mild conversation and sunshine. Suddenly, a boy rushes through the gate and darts toward the house. The boy is carrying a chicken. “Hey, boy!”, inquires Nasreddin - “Where’d you get the chicken, then?”
“Stole it from our esteemed neighbour, Father.”, answers the boy without hesitation. The neighbour’s face contorts with shock,but Nasreddin smiles and says to the neighbour with obvious pride:
“That’s my boy! He might be a rotten thief like the rest of them, but he’ll never lie!”
I understand that Schopenhauer like Buddhism for its compassion [ But he showed none about his housekeeper falling down.].
Ill check Lord Russell and the "Encyclopedia of Philosophy on his thoughts. He has a comment about theists and the cosmological argument.