ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 04

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

Page 416

b.
Introduction:
Jain Theory of Tolerance Dr.Meenal Katarnikar
The four cardinal principles of Jain way of life are: ➤ Ahi s or non violence in conduct
➤ Aparigraha or Non-possession in life and society
Anek nta or multiplicity of view points in thoughts Sy dv da or Conditional dialectic in speech.
Oxford American Desk dictionary defines Tolerance as:
1. Willingness or ability to tolerate
2.
Forbearance
3. Capacity to tolerate
4. Allowable variation in any measurable property
And 'To tolerate' is defined as "to allow the existence or occurrence of others without interference". We shall review tolerance as per different Jain doctrines as identified above..
A.
Doctrine of Anek
ta:
A systematic formulation of Anek ntav da is found in Samantabhadra's pta Mm s (3-4th cen. A. D.). However, the doctrine is so assimilating that it has given rise to various interpretations. It will be interesting to see a few of them:
a) Anek ntav da: - An + eka + anta + v da i. e. not -one-sided - statement., i.e. many sided exposition. It is a statement made after taking into account all possible angles of vision regarding any object or idea. In this sense, Anek ntav da is a theory of many-sidedness or manifoldness of reality.
b) Anek ntav da: - An + ek nta + v da i. e. not categorically asserted philosophical position. In this sense, it stands for the philosophy of non-absolutism.
c) In some other sense, it stands for the theory of manifoldness, which is different from a philosophy of indetermination or that of dubiety.
In order to understand the scope and denotation of Anek ntav da, it is useful to make a distinction between two senses of the term. In the first place, the term is used to denote the Jain metaphysical doctrine, or the Jaina view of Reality. The Jains hold that Reality is manifold; each substance does have infinite qualities and modifications. According to them, each substance has a multi-faceted nature, consists of diverse forms and modes, of innumerable aspects. In this sense, the term can be correctly translated as 'the theory of manifoldness of reality'.
However, the term Anek ntav da is also used for the Jaina philosophical method, which allows for reconciliation, integrations and synthesis of conflicting philosophic views. Jains argue that different philosophers, when they construct different philosophical systems, emphasize different 'standpoints'. They further point out that as long as we emphasize one aspect or standpoint., while being fully aware that this is only one out of many, equally viable standpoints, we employ a right philosophical method. But when we emphasize only one standpoint by excluding all others, we employ an incorrect philosophic method. The aim of Anek nta philosophy is to expose an incorrect philosophic method and isolate and identify the right philosophical method.
To use other words, Anek ntav da is that method of philosophy, which recognizes all the philosophical theories to be the partially true expressions of reality (S.S. Divakara's Sanmati Tarka). As every theory is true partially, and not exclusively, there is no perfect theory of reality. The perfect view of Reality will be obtained only by recognizing that our theory is one of the many theories that are equally (partially) true. In this sense, Anek ntav da advocates a sort of relativistic approach to reality and denies supremacy to any one view about reality.
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STUDY NOTES version 4.0