My answer: Because "428/427 BCE
Plato was born in 428/427 BCE to a noble family and died in 348/347 BCE"(Meinwald 2023) he probably had a large impact on Hinduism which became popular "from about 320 to 550 CE"(Khan Academy). Thus maybe Plato heavily influenced Hinduism since the philosopher died before the religion gained popularity. Plus the Indian caste system may be an example of a fruit of Plato's concept of the Noble Lie. The Indian caste system is based on who reincarnated from who. Plato's Theory of Forms may also be a noble lie due to false induction. Thus further showcasing the problems of reincarnation belief. Plus in greater picture: "During the Gupta empire—from about 320 to 550 CE—emperors used Hinduism as a unifying religion and helped popularize it by promoting educational systems that included Hindu teachings; they also gave land to brahmins. The Gupta emperors helped make Hinduism the most popular religion on the Indian subcontinent"(Khan Academy).
Sources
Meinwald, Constance C.. "Plato". Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Nov. 2023, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Plato. Accessed 20 November 2023.
Khan Academy . "During the Maurya and Gupta empires, the Indian culture and way of life were deeply influenced by Hinduism.." khanacademy.org . www.khanacademy.org/humanities/world-history/ancient-medieval/early-indian-empires/a/hinduism-in-indian-culture. Accessed 20 Nov. 2023.
It is a very interesting question.
I composed a text dealing with the analogies between the Katha Upanishad and Plato's Phaedrus. The text is about to be published. I will upload it on ResearchGate.net. In the meantime, I attach here a file containing the PowerPoint of a lecture which I held on this subject. The PowerPoint is rather long since I always try to have as much materials as possible for the questions and answers after the lecture. I thank you very much for the interesting question.
Mark Maller Hello Dr. and Professor Maller, Based on my study, Platonist influence on Hinduism (and maybe vice versa) is plausible. I would be honored to meet with you.
The influence between the two, is most likely to be the 'other way around' or more like sharing a method of exegesis of ancient thought at that time.
Upanishads are subcategories of the Vedas.
Vedas which were focussed on ritualistic details and traditions were composed between 1200 to 400 B.C.E. The Upanishads were written over a time period ranging from 700 to 400 B.C.E. focusing on Spiritual enlightenment.
It is evident that much Greek thought drew upon ancient Eastern principles.
Plato, and Plotinus also, 500 years later.
'The meeting of minds', as Mark Maller suggests, has long been evident.
Ann
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