Jain Journal 2004 01

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 17

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JAIN JOURNAL VOL-XXXVIII, NO. 3-JAN. 2004
views of others. All knowledge would be fruitless in the absence of equanimity and no amount of reading of the sacred texts would lead one to any fruitful result. The logical expression of such a comprehensive attitude is further explained in the Jaina theory of Syadvāda and Nayavāda. Persons like Vinobha Bhave stressed the need to understand Syādvāda for the sake of world peace.
Anekānta does not discard any point of view nor does it give exclusive importance to a particular point of view. It is opposed to dogmatism, which gives exclusive importance to a particular point of view. In Jain logic any particular assertion as absolute is called durnaya, 38 a product of loose intelligence and insufficient articulation, which is incorrect and hence needs to be attended to. Applying this principle in the context dialogue or any peaceful negotiation, it is reasonable to hold the opponent's views equally important, even if they may be wrong or unjustified.39 No one's view is sidelined or, much less, discarded. There is an effort at seeding the Truth on both sides. Both the parties seek the truth in what the other claims, and both try to accommodate one another. Muni Sri Nyāyavijayaji40 contends that aspects of truth could be still there in differences and contradictions, and they could be harmonized and synthesized into an organic whole.
This is the toughest part in any reconciliatory process. Persons do not normally accept others and their views, and especially when
38. Tattvärthasutra, 8
39. Two immediate examples of mutual listening: Nicodemus defends Jesus before the Jewish authorities: "According to our Law we cannot condemn a man before hearing him and finding out what he has done." (Good News Bible, Catholic Edition, John 7: 50-51). Gamaliel advises the furious Council, which wanted to put the apostles to death: "I tell you, do not take any action against these men....... If what they have planned and done is of human origin, it will disappear, but if it comes from God, you cannot possible defeat them. You could find yourselves fighting against God." (Ibid., Acts 5: 38-39) 40. Nagin J. Shah (trans.): Jaina Philosophy and Religion (Enghlish Translation
of Jaina Darsana by Muni Shri Nyāyavijayaji), Motilal Banarsidass Pvt. Ltd., Ltd., Delhi, Paperback Edition 2000, p. 343