Aspects of Jaina Religion

Author(s): Vilas Sangve
Publisher: Bharatiya Gyanpith

Page 55

Doctrines of Jainism :: 51
(5) Significance of Syādvāda
From the discussion of Syādvāda it is clear that Syādvāda aims to unify, coordinate, harmonise and synthesise the individual view points into a predictable whole. In other words, the Syādvāda, like music, blends discordant notes so as to make a perfect harmony.
Further, Syādvāda is not a doctrine of mere speculative interest, one intended to solve not only ontological problems, but has a bearing upon man's psychological and spiritual life.
Moreover, the doctrine of Syādvāda has supplied the philosopher with cosmopolitanism of thought convincing him that truth is not anybody's monopoly with tariff walls of denominational religions and it has again supplied the religious aspirant with 'intellectual toleration' which is quite on par with ahimsā for which Jainism has eminently stood for the last two thousand years and more.
The essence of this doctrine of Syādvāda, keeping off scholastic terminology, seems just that as to matters of experience it is impossible to formulate the whole and complete truth, and as to matters which transcend experience, language is inadequate.
Furthermore, it is pertinent to note that apart from the pains the Jaina philosophers have taken to describe reality, their doctrine of Syādvāda brings out the comprehensiveness of approach of the Jaina philosophers to these problems.