Jain Journal 2005 01

SR No.: 520157
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publication Year: 2005
Total Pages: 58
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, India_Jain Journal, & India
File Size: 3 MB

Page 36

DEVEN YASHWANT: ANEKANTA AND ITS PARALLELS
Numerous such works and narrations by the Jain writers can be found where the other system of faiths, religions, rituals and philosophies have been criticized in derogative terms. The list will be endless and will do no good to quote them all. However, there is a specific difference between these stories. In Jain mythological stories the gods come to test the strength of Vardhamana and in turn are not killed but pardoned. The simple question arises in the mind that when the gods were aware about Vardhamāna's fate as "a would be Tirthankara" then what was the need of testing his strength?
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In conclusion we find that the theory of Anekānta was in existence in the Vedic times in its own way. Their start was Anekanta, but the end result was Ekantavāda. The Jains also introduced it, but were not able to maintain it on account of practical difficulties in its implementation. Anekānta means tolerance. Unfortunately, we do not find the examples of tolerance. Division of the Jain community and its religious order into hundreds of sects, subsects and groups from centuries onwards of the Christian era, show that the Jains did not adhere to the theory of Anekanta all the time. Such divisions which started immediately after the Nirvāņa of Mahāvīra would continue till date on flimsy grounds and not on solid principle. It was mostly misunderstood, misinterpreted and misrepresented by Jain laity as well as saints. Non-tolerance by Jainācāryas gave birth to different Sanghs known as Dravidas, Kāṣṭhakas, Māthuras, Śvetāmbaras, Digambaras, Yapaniyas and also into further sects, howsoever small they might be. The religious saints of one sect criticized each other openly stating that his own way is the perfect one. The Jains prove themselves by saying that they linked their doctrines as having come down to them directly from the mouth of Mahavīra. Such saints taking a cue from the commentary on the Acarangasūtra by Jainācārya Atmā Rāma (Vijayananda) Sūri do not see the saints of the other sects with respect. They got some followers too and they also follow their teachers in observing non-tolerance towards other setcs. Numerous disputes are pending in legal courts for almost hundred years with no end in sight.