Jaina Logic

Author(s): T G Kalghatgi
Publisher: Raja Krisen Jain Charitable Trust New Delhi

Page 30

Anekanta and Nayarada of view gives a partial view of reality. To Insist that it is the wholo trath is a fallacy. It is ekanta. It is dogmatic assortion of truth for an aspect of truth. Anekanta does imply the principle of reciprocity and interaction among the reals of tbc Universe. The Jaina is a thorough-going realist. Anekanta is the foundational outlook of the Jainas in looking at the problems of life,
Although Anekanta view is the special feature of the Jaina point of view, it is possible to say that some other schools of thought were of this kind of view. In Buddhist philosophy the phrase majjhima magga bears the same significance as Anekanta. Pandit Sukhalalji Sanghvi, in his introduction to the Sanmari Tarka, says that the doctrine of Anekanta and the madhyama marga have great resemblance in the fundamental idea underlying them. " Anarmavada of Sanjaya, Vibhajjavada, madhyama pratipada which induced the Buddha to treat all prevalent opinions with respect may be mentioned as expressions of Anekanta attitude Similarly Bhedabheda-vada of Bhart;aprpanca is referred to as Anekanta." Gautama, the Buddha, faced the confusion of thought presented in his time about the ultimate nature of reality. He was silent about these problems. In Digha Nikaya Gautama says “It is not that I was, I was not, it is not that I will be I will not be; it is not that I am, I am not." The Buddha describes this attitude to Manavaka as Vibbajjavada." This is similar to Anekānta, although it is not so is clearly defined and developed. No specific words suggesting the doctrine of Anekanta are found in the philosophic literature of ancient India. It is suggested that the doctrine of evolution as propounded by the Samkhya school implies the Anekanta attitude." However, the Jainas perfected the doctrine and
21 Sanmari Tarka edt. Introduction by Sukhalalji Sanghavi and Pandit
Doshi. 22. Pramana Mimansa of Hemacandra (Singhi Jaina Granthamala
1939) pp. E. L. 3. 23. Digthanikaya Potthapada Sutta 9 and Mallhina mika ya Swita 99 24. Syadvada manjari edt, by A. B. Dhruva Introduction.