JAINA Convention 2007 07 Edison NJ

Author(s): Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA

Page 71

Once a person appreciates and comprehends the truth through dialogue, none of the philosophy, principles or beliefs or religions would appear to be absolutely false. Every belief has an element of truth provided one goes beyond words
and captures the intention of the statement.
following ten processes which are needed for complete understanding of an object:
1. The knower first attempts to describe an object partially and conveys the nature of a matter partially through words to the listener.
2. The listener converts the words into his ideas/images about the matter
and grasps separate meanings of different words and in parts. 3. If someone is to read the description of an object
in words and attempts to draw a picture, it may not be the same but quite different.
4. If we listen or tell the words only according to one's belief or imagination and refuse to heed the other's point of view, this only leads to biased or partial view contrary to the truth.
5. The listener goes beyond words and converts his understanding of separate parts/properties into an indivisible whole to know the truth. True knowledge is like a mirror, it reflects instantaneously the matter as it is and in its most natural manner.
6. Timeless, inseparable and unchangeable characteristics of a matter are known as properties and the description of such properties represents intrinsic or real point of view.
7. A particular property assumes or displays changeable and momentary characteristics. These are known as forms of the object. 8. Understanding an object with its many properties and forms collectively and as an indivisible whole is known as 'anekantawada' or 'multifaceted reality concept'.
9. Mere idea of the object developed through illustrations or description following the principle of 'anekantawada' is also indirect knowledge. 10. A matter and its knowledge are indivisible and thus complete understanding is required for resolving all conflicts. People adopt conflicting views of these ten processes making dialogue an absolute necessity.
3. Process of Dialogue
Jain scriptures are divided into 12 parts (anga). The 5th part describes Jain principles through a medium of dialogue. Gautam had dialogue with Lord. Mahavir and asked 60000 questions which are explained in this part. Dialogue helps in knowing the consequences of our actions of the past, present and future relating to gain or loss, victory or defeat, happiness or unhappiness, life and death, worldly life or moksha etc. In the 10th 'Anga', process of dialogue is dealt with in accordance with the type of questions raised. Among many other things, it says dialogue can take four forms.
a. telling similar events in the stories of great persons
b. the structure of universe and its operations
c. following of a code of conduct and d. narration of principles involved (Virsenacharya, Dhavala, Book 1, P.105-107).
In the process of dialogue, one has to deal with
1. One-sided or incomplete/partial view of the problem involved
2. the problem of taking sides with any particular point of view
14th Biennial JAINA Convention 2007
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PEACE THROUGH DIALOGUE