ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 04

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

Page 417

Anek ntav da as A Method:
In the light of the twofold exposition of Anek ntav da viz theory of multiple aspects of a substance and the other as the theory of non-exclusiveness of any theory/expression about reality, it is significant to see the relation of Anek ntav da to the doctrine of Tolerance.
ATU
In the first exposition, Anek ntav da represents the metaphysical view of Jainism. In this sense, it is one of the many metaphysical theories, trying to reconcile the extremes of permanence and charge, one and many, but at the same time having its own limitations. In the second exposition, Anek ntav da stands for a metaphilosophical approach that vouches for a method, which allows for reconciliation, integration and synthesis of conflicting philosophical views.
The philosophical roots of the doctrine of Anek ntav da can be traced backed to a very ancient theory called vibhajya-v da. It is an indirect method of answering metaphysical questions through analysis and classification of the senses of words contained in those questions. It is a method of 'breaking up' the whole questions into parts and seeking answer to all of them, thereby to the whole questions. vibhajya-v da however takes into consideration the relativity of each part to the whole and looks at each part independently.
The method of Anek ntav da is to analyze the different senses of, and thereby clarify the ambiguity contained in those predicate - expressions. Further, the possible alternatives are accepted with proper qualifications and conditionalization. Thus, it is a view that adopts non-dogmatic and exploratory approach to philosophical and metaphysical questions. It is a method of partial acceptance of both the extremes. In this, the seemingly contradictory predictions are not rejected, but are accepted with qualifications, and the apparent contradiction is avoided by bringing out the different senses in which these predictions could be used. This is how it cannot be, strictly speaking, the acceptance of a real contradiction, as there is no contradiction at all! To give an example, the world from the point of view of continuity, may be called eternal, but from the point of view of change of its states, it is non-eternal. Thus, the world can be regarded as both eternal and noneternal without being contradictory. Thus, Anek ntav da is a method of synthesis and toleration. The essence of Anek ntav da lies in exposing and making explicit the standpoints of different philosophical schools and the existence of opposites at the same time in the same entity or environment.
Anek ntav da and Tolerance:
The dictionary meaning of 'Tolerance' exposes the negative aspect of acceptance in a dominant manner. If tolerance is taken to mean 'ability or capacity to tolerate', it will point to toleration out of compulsion, out of helplessness or out of dire need of survival. For example, tolerating the baddies in the classroom or undisciplined behavior or even the notorious people in the society. It may even indicate the attitude of treating the other person with condemnation or the attitude of superiority complex and treating other as inferior, e.g. rich people tolerating poor people, scholars in the class tolerating the mediocre students, powerful nations tolerating weak, underdeveloped countries etc. However the doctrine of Anek ntav da is based on the definition of reality as existent (substance is the indication of existent, existent is with origination, destruction and permanence and substance is with attributes and modes). Thus Anek ntav da is a philosophy of intermixture and tolerance (better known as reconciliation to the existence of opposite attributes simultaneously) and presupposes balanced and equitable thinking rather than from a position of strength or weakness.
Thus it would be wrong to equate Anek ntav da with such negativity, because, Anek ntav da does not reflect negativity. It does not indicate the falsity or invalidity of any theory, but emphasizes the element of truth in every theory. Its focus is on pointing out the extent of acceptability of every view rather than bringing out the reasons for denial. And the reason for the emphasis on positivism is that, every theory, according to Anek ntav da, is only a partial description/exposition of reality. Hence, it cannot be regarded as the view that holds the capacity to 'tolerate' the other views, but rather it can correctly be described as that view which treats all other views, including itself, with equanimity. In holding such temper of equanimity, Anek ntav da demands surrender of undue pride in one's own existence and supremacy and tend to develop humility and senses of respect towards other perspectives.
Page 407 of 556
STUDY NOTES version 4.0