________________
Jaina Perspective in Philosophy and Religion
Naya is the analytic and the Saptabhangi is the synthetic method of studying ontological problems.1 So the defect of Nayavada is supplemented of the method of Saptabhangi, a better organon of knowledge.2 Samantabhadra, the first exponent of Syadvāda3 has characterised Sankhya, Madhyamika, Vaiśeşika, Bauddha as representing first four forms of judgement and Akalanka4 has completed by characterising Sankara, Bauddha and Yoga as representing the last three. This doctrine insists on the corelation of affirmation and negation. All judgements are double-edged in their character. All things are existent as well as non-existent. Here three predicates make seven propositions.
246
Examination of Criticisms against Syādvāda
(1) Fallacy of contradiction Application of existence and non-existence to the same thing is contradiction.
―
Reply Here existence and non-existence are asserted not from one standpoint. Calling a thing both table and bench is contradiction but when we ascribe to the table from the view point of its matter and non-existence to it from the view point of it changing frame, it is not contradiction.
(2) Fallacy of Vaidhikaran There ought to be two receptacles for we assume existence and non-existence in the same thing.
Reply Tree is only one receptacle though it contains both the qualities of stability and mobility.
1. Nahar and Ghosh : Epitome of Jainism, Ch. VII, VIII. 2. आप्तमीमांसा, कारिका ९ - २० ।
3. अष्टसाहस्री, पृ० १३८-१४२ ।
4. S. Radhakrishnan : History of Indian Philosophy, Vol. I, p. 304.
5. H. Jacobi: Encyclopaedia of Religion and Ethics, Vol. 7, P. 465.
6. "नैकस्मिन्नसम्भवात्", ब्रह्मसूत्र, शांकरभाष्य २-५-३३ ।
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
