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PROF. PREM SUMAN JAIN: THE FAMILY OF ANEKANTAVĀDA
comprehensiveness in man's journey towards salvation-the state of soul having infinite perception, infinite knowledge, infinite bliss and infinite strength.
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As compared with the theory of relativity Syādvāda is much simpler and less elaborate, and the reasons are quite apparent; the bounds of human knowledge have become much wider and the achievements of since more fruitful than what they were some centuries before. The contribution of Syādvāda and Relativity to the ultimate outlook on life and its problems, taking into consideration the conditions under which and the age in which they are propounded is almost the same. Syādvāda establishes a perfect harmony between apparently discordant concepts. It is of great importance in the field of philosophy as a science of understanding and synthesising reality. It stands for cosmopolitanism of thought and 'intellectual tolerance' for which Jainism has eminently stood for the last two thousand years or more'.
Dr. J. P. Jain rightly concludes that the Anekānta philosophy of the Jainas, with its two veritable and strong wings, the Nayavāda and the Syādvāda (based on the Sapta-bhanga logic), is thoroughly consistent with Jaina ontology and the Jaina theory of knowledge. It is with the help of this powerful instrument in their hands that the Jaina philosophers have steered clear of nihilism on the one hand and absolute monism on the other, as well as of shallow realism of the materialist and the ludicrous stand of the idealists. It fosters a rational outlook and an appropriate attitude of looking at things, conditions and relations, gives breadth of vision and helps a right and proper evaluation of ultimate realities. And, it infuses in those who believe in practice this philosophy, a healthy spirit of sympathetic understanding, reconciliation, tolerance, co-operation and co-existence, in the everyday conduct of their life and in their relations with their fellow beings.
The Non-absolutist philosophy (Anekānta-darśana) is an indicator of Prophet (Tirthankara) Mahāvīra's commitment to truth and that of his suprime real knowledge. Syādvāda, on the other hand, is a reflection of Bhagavan Mahāvīra's absolute commitment to nonviolence. His life's whole commitment and endeavour has been to uphold the view that while the truth must be related in its real sense, its statement must not suffer from the flow of opposing others and,
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