Ahimsa and Jainism

Author(s): Vijayvallabhsuri
Publisher: Vallabhsuri Smarak Nidhi

Page 74

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The Jaina Agamas which are the earliest source for life and teachings of Mahavira point to one fact very clearly and that is that the Jnataputra Vardhamana had to make his way through a crowd of Sramana and Vedic “Titthiyas” or "Tirthikas”. Another point which becomes clear from Agamas is that Vardhamana's method was to harmonise and assimilate as much of different contending sects as was consistent with his main ideal of Moksa. This peculiar trait of Mahavira's method seems to be responsible for giving his school the name and character of Anekantavada and Syadvada. The essence of these Vadas lies in harmonising the different ways of thought by regarding them as so many different points of viewing reality and grasping truth. This character of Jainism explains why throughout its history it has always studied carefully the religio-philosophical ideas of other schools and developed the Anekanta doctrine in relation to the growth of various Darsanas.