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208
ARGUMENTS BASED ON..
The Buddhist hold that so long as inferential knowledge is available, there is no need to affirm the existence of the omniscient person on the basis of scriptures (āgamas). This is because the Buddhists accept only two forms of cognition 188 perception and inference. However, for arguments sake, they point out that there are Vedic passage called 'nimitta' which speak of the eternal omniscience of Lord Buddha. As a matter of fact, the eternality of the Vedas has been totally rejected by the Buddhists but they have simply tried to show that even if the Vedic scripture is regarded as eternal omniscience of Buddha is not disproved. 188
(F) Argument based on Non-apprehension (abhāva)
Non-apprehension (abhāva) has also been accepted as a standard means of cognition by some Indian systems. Whats
others call onupalabdhi, Jainas call abhāva. The Mimāṁsaka have tried to show the inefficiency of the five means of cognition to prove the existence of the omniscient being; hence one might hope that remaining source of cognition, namely non-apprehension (abhāva) to be of help here. But what falls within the scope of non-apprehension is the non-existent. 184 non apprehension, as a means of cognition, can only prove the non-existance of the omniscient being. As we do not cognise the omniscient, the argument runs, we must accept its nonexistence as a fact.
kirti, Ibid., pp. 26-27; Anantakirti, Laghu-sarva jña-siddhi, pp. 114115, Bịhat-sarva jña-siddhi, pp. 203-204; Aklanka, Siddhi-viniscaya,
10 & 11. 132 Dharmakirti, Nyāyabindu, I. 3. 133 Säntaraksita, Ibid., 3511 3514. Jaina scholars like Joyoti Prasad Jaina
(Jainism-the oldest Living Religion, p. 22.) holds that there are specific mention of their Tīrthankara Ariştanemi in the Vedas (Rg Veda, VIII. 8. 24; X 178.1; Yajurveda, XXV. 19; IX. 25; Samaveda, XX.
143.10.). ! 134 Prabhācandra, Nyaya kumudacandra, Vol. I, p. 88; Prame ya-kamala
mārtanda, p. 46; Akalanka, Siddhi-viniscaya, VIII. 4; Vidyānanda, Aşta-sahasri, p. 46; Apta- pariksā, p. 207: Anantakirti, Brahat-sarva jña. siddhi, p. 133; Ratnakīti, Ibid., p. 6.
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