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The discussion of the distinctions of standpoint (naya) has already been addressed. Scripture (śruta) is considered reflective knowledge, and since naya is also a type of reflective knowledge, it is encompassed within scripture. Therefore, the initial question arises as to why the teaching of naya is presented separately after the exposition of scripture, given that naya is considered a part of scripture? Naya philosophy is regarded as a special characteristic of Jain philosophy, but naya itself is part of scripture, which refers to the Agama texts. The discussion of proofs exists in non-Jain philosophies as well, including an exposition of Agama proofs. Naturally, another question arises: when the discussion of Agama proof is also present in other philosophies, how can a distinct exposition of naya encompassed within Agama proof be regarded as a specialty of Jain philosophy? Or what was the aim of the Jain philosophers in presenting a separate exposition of naya apart from scriptural proof?
Both scripture and naya are reflective knowledge. However, the difference between the two is that the idea which attempts to touch upon the entirety of a subject is scripture, while the idea that touches on a specific aspect is naya. Thus, naya cannot be independently considered a proof, yet it is not considered unproven. For instance, while the tip of a finger is not the entire finger, we cannot say, "It is not a finger," because it is indeed a part of the finger. Similarly, naya is also a part of the proof of scripture. The order of the emergence of thoughts and the resulting practical application are the two perspectives from which the delineation of naya is made separately from the proof of scripture. The various ideas of different aspects of a substance ultimately culminate in a sense of vastness or wholeness. The description of these elements should follow the order in which thoughts arise, in accordance with the understanding of the essence. By accepting this, it becomes coherent to differentiate the delineation of naya from the proof of scripture, and even if there is complete knowledge of a subject in its entirety, in practical terms, that knowledge is utilized in relation to each specific aspect. This is why the reflective knowledge of the entire scripture is distinguished from the non-reflective naya.
Although there is discussion of Agama proofs in non-Jain philosophies, the independent establishment of naya encompassed within that proof in Jain philosophy has its own reasons, and that is sufficient for its distinctiveness. Generally, a person's propensity for knowledge is incomplete, while the sense of identity (attachment) is exceedingly strong. When a person thinks about a subject, they view it as the final...