Anekanta Philosophy of Co existence

Author(s): Mahapragna Acharya
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati

Page 38

The Right Perspective of Anekânta
points of substance and mode
utpādavyayadhrauvyayuktam sat Element has three characteristics, therefore, it is anekāntika. One cannot comprehend its nature without anekānta. When it is said - 'Element is permanent', it is one view or aikāntika (one-sided). When it is said - 'Element is permanent-cum-temporary', it is the anekanta view-point. What is peculiar or new about it is that it simultaneously accepts element as possessed of both permanence as well as transitoriness.
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The Meaning of the Term Anekānta
Anekanta is lexically a negative term, but substantially it is not negative. Anekanta conveys the relativity of substance and mode. It is not possible to have existence of only substance or only mode, that is to say, substance and mode cannot exist without each other. The very nature of element being anekantika, the term ekanta cannot be used to comprehend it. Aneka does not mean 'indefinite' or 'infinite', but it means 'more than one'. Element is having three characteristics hence 'aneka' does not mean indefinite, it does not designate only the infinity of modes, it does not mean only 'infinite'.
Modes are successive attributes. Infinite modes are not possible in a single substance simultaneously. For they do not originate simultaneously.