________________
66
Jaina Theory of Multiple Facets of Reality und Truth Evaluation of Anekāntavāda or Syādvāda or Saptabhangī Different darśanas (philosophies) hold different philosophical views; and each one of them claims its own view alone to be true and all others untrue or false. This kind of attitude encourages dogmatism and intolerance in philosophy and breeds hatred and bitterness among the adherents or followers of the rival darśanas. The Jain dārśanikas perceived this evil resulting from 'one-sided' (ekānta) rival darśanas, and thought out a way: As Pandit Sukhlalji puts it: “An intense desire to bring about a synthesis of the contemporary, contradictory philosophical or metaphysical views inspired the Jain thinkers to expound this doctrine of saptabhangi.... In the Vedic darśanas, etc., especially in Vallabha-darśana we have the conception of 'sarvadharmasamanvaya' (a synthesis of all dharmas (or darśanas)]. It is one of the forms of this very saptabhangi." According to the anekānta theory, Reality by its very nature is many-sided. Each and every thing or entity is endowed with infinite attributes or properties (dharmas). So apparently contradictory, philosophical or metaphysical, propositions, made from different points of view with reference to one and the same thing, are perfectly in order. This is how the theory of saptabhangī or syādvāda or anekāntavāda of the Jains reconciles, harmonizes the seemingly, conflicting or contradictory views of the rival darśanas. This theory is “characterized by toleration, understanding and respect for the views of others. This is a unique character of Jain philosophy and religion...." The catholicity of outlook that is evinced by this theory is indeed admirable. This is how A.B. Dhruva evaluates the doctrine of syādvāda:0 “Syādvāda is not a doctrine of mere speculative interest, one intended to solve a mere ontological problem but has a bearing upon man's psychological and spiritual life.”
8. Sukhlalji, Pandit: Darsana ane Cintana (Gujarati), Vol.2, Gujarat Vidya Sabha,
Bhadra, Ahmedabad-1, 1957, p.1064. 9. Dr. B. K. Matilal, ibid, p.6. 10. Syādvādamañjarī, ibid, Notes, p.272.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
