________________
38/JAIN STUDIES AND SCIENCE
MAHAPRAGYA'S PRINCIPLE OF COEXISTENCE OF OPPOSITES
Mahapragya has successfully professed the Anekant viewpoint of Jainism. He pronounces that the whole is sum total of two opposites! This is an amazing statement on the part of Mahapragya, as he explains that opposites do not cancel each other, on the contrary they are complementary and add up to make a whole. A student of science knows thoroughly well that if there is matter, anti-matter is equally abundant. Opposites are actually two faces of the same coin, whose true and clear picture is complete only when both faces coexist together at the same place and the same point of time. For ease of understanding such pairs author prefers to term them as copposites.
Definition of Copposities
Mahapragya has stipulated a few postulates in order to expand his 'theory of opposites'
Copposites represent two mutually different directions.
Existence of copposites is a self-proven Axiom. It is the very nature of every object to possess the copposites simultaneously. Copposites do not cancel each other but reinforce each other. There exists a definite co-ordination even in obvious conflict. Conversely, there exists conflict in apparent cases of harmony. This is the very basis of co-existent evolution.
Mahapragya has established the practical utility of above postulates which can be put to good use in resolving our every day conflicts of life. We shall present his thoughts concisely.
Universe
Each aspect of the entire universe is divided into two
Body and Soul
Macro and Micro
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
Tangible and Intangible
Humans are entrusted with the task of balancing these pairs. If we find too much of materialism, we shall have to invent spiritualism and vice-versa. Strangely, one is useless without the other. Imagine only Adam or only Eve at the beginning of life. One is not good enough, you need two, and that too, opposites! We can
Jain Education International
For Personal & Private Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
