Dvadasharnaychakram Part 4

Author(s): Mallavadi Kshamashraman, Labdhisuri
Publisher: Chandulal Jamnadas Shah

Page 52

FOREWORD The original written in Gujarati by : Rev. Panyas Shri Vikrama Vijayaji.
[ LITERAL TRANSLATION ]
By Prof. Hiralal R. Kapadia, m. A.
: Speciality of the doctrine of non-absolutism - Jainism means the central location of all relative view points. It embodies the real harmony of all the schools of thought of the world, which believe in the existence of soul. Its infinite depth becomes manifest by its thorough study. It includes impartial exposition of every system of philosophy darsana of the world. Like a judge Jainism gives a very careful and impartial judgement to every darsana where as the remaining dars'anas have failed to do so in the case of rival dars'anas owing to their absolute insistence, Jainism does full justice to every other (darsana) by accepting its view by resorting to the right stand-point and by refraining from absolute absolutism. That clarified butter is a source of good health for one and all, is (absolute) absolutism. This sort of absolutism means mistaking untruth or half truth as complete truth and misrepresentation.
That clarified butter is a source of good health to one who can digest it whereas it is not so in the case of one who cannot digest, is (an instance of) non absolutism (anekanta), Anekanta means acceptance of truth wherever it may be and it corroboration. The statement that clarified butter is a source of good health for one who can digest it is as true as the statement that clarified butter is harmful to one who cannot do so. One who fails to understand rightly both the view.points, cannot make the right use of clarified butter, nor cause others to do so, and will rather harm himself and other. The example of clarified butter is on a gross basis but what follows from it, is equally true on a subtle plane. One who accepts one view.point and disregards another is looked upon as "insistent" and such a fellow cannot find out truth. Its realization can be achieved by resorting to non-absolutism only Anekantavada is a speciality of Jainism.
Jainism gives judgement to other darsanas and welcomes them without entirely refuting any one of them and accept correct views of each of them from the right stand-point. This is a specimen of the unparallelled broad-mindedness and catholicity of Jainism. No other darsana has achieved this beauty even superficially. Isms leading the world to the path of ruin, are unable to entertain other isms as they are absolutely insistent whereas Jainism is very well able to do so. in virtue of its policy of non-absolutism. The world can build up an auspicious empire of justice, peace and happiness by admitting anekantavada.
Definition of view.point (nayas )— Naya' is a part of anekantavada, and it is derived from the root "ni".
Its etymology is as under :
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