________________ Lessons of Ahimsa and Anekanta for Contemporary Life in three stages viz. pratibhasika, vyavaharika and parmarthika. Mahabharata exhorts people by saying, "Regard all religious faiths with reverence and ponder their teachings but do not surrender your judgement'. Buddhist philosophy of vibhajyavada and madhyama-marga also reflects the tone of anekana. Buddha himself believed in vibhajyavada and not in ekantavada. He rejected both 'asti' and 'nasti' and emphasized that he believed in the middle path. Ouran very clearly suggests, 'to you your religion and to me mine'. This is truly the live and let live' philosophy of religion. In conclusion, anekantavada is, in fact, a protest against the one-sided, narrow, dogmatic or fanatical approach to the problems of life and reality not only metaphysical but societal and even familial problems of present day life. This approach can significantly reduce the intellectual chaos and help overcome social conflict. Jain Education International For Private & Perso90 Use Only www.jainelibrary.org
