Central Philosophy of Jainism Anekanta Vada

Author(s): Bimal Krishna Matilal, Nagin J Shah, Dalsukh Malvania
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

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Anekānta : A Development From The Vibhajya Method
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point of view, and this also implies that A's not being B depends on another point of view. In the second case, we try to synthesize the two sides, positive and negative.
Mahāvira thus developed a philosophy of synthesis and toleration, which later came to be designated as the anekānta-vāda. The Buddha's method was one of withdrawal from philosophic disputes, for he avoided committing himself to any extreme view. But Mahāvira's method was one of commitment, for he attempted to understand the points of view of the fighting parties (in a philosophic dispute) so that their dispute could be resolved and reconciled. Thus, the essence of the anekānta-vāda lies in exposing and making explicit the standpoints or presuppositions of different philosophical schools.