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Essence of Jainism
JAIN BELIEFS
Vature of reality (sat) : Jainism maintains that reality has infinite characters or aspects and its nature is constituted of substance and modes (forms). Reality is neither substance alone nor alone modes. Substance persists through changing modes. Modes come into existence and perish. So Jain thinkers define reality as characterised by the trio of orgination, destruction and persistence. Even soul is not an exception to it.
Non-onesidedness (anekantavada): Corresponding to the infinite characters or aspects of reality, there are infinite views. Different views grasp and present different aspects of reality as they are governed by different conditions of purpose, intention, relevance, etc. Each view, though does not contain the whole truth, contains the partial truth. So no view should be rejected. Every view should be respected. Man should not indulge in dogmatic absolute assertion, disregarding other
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