ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 02

Author(s): International School for Jain Studies
Publisher: International School for Jain Studies

Page 145

SCHOOL OF
TIONAL
SELF STUDY IS THE SUPREME AUSTERITY
पाध्याय परम
AM STUDIES
the more deeply and comprehensively we are bound to understand. The more powerful will be our information, our ability to analyze, our solutions and our creativity.
Non-one-sidedness multiplies the freedom of the mind. Jains see even this principle from more than one angle. Its two philosophical developments are known as Nayavada, which is the scrutiny of contentions through a variety of specific perspective modes, and Syädvāda, which is the truth-analysis of any given statement using disparate combinations of
Its affirmation,
Its negation, and
The admission of its inexpressibility
While academic in nature, these methods of insight are a major contribution to epistemology and logic.
Anekāntavāda is intellectual humility that empowers the user. It is an essential part of being non-violent in our thoughts and words. It shows us why we shouldn't wed ourselves to rigid opinions that disconnect us from reality and stifle the pursuit of fuller understanding. It also demonstrates why we should not cower to ambiguous or nihilistic positions with little or no sense of right and wrong. Non-one-sidedness encourages us to examine and be critical of all beliefs and claims from many different angles, helping us recognize the value of others' views and opinions as well as the limitations of our own. This means respecting a person's individuality by discovering his or her concept of the world and trying to see things through that model.
Fostered by a mature view of human experience, on a different level Jains are able to appreciate the sincere insights of those who may interpret Jain ideas in new or innovative ways.
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STUDY NOTES version 5.0