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Anekantavadaas an Efficacious Pathway To Happy and Harmonious Life
Though human suffering has been perennial the magnitude of present-day strifes and stresses in the world has become alarmingly dangerous and calls for an urgent course of action. Jainism as a practical philosophy and viable mode of living offers a significant way out in putting forth the theory of anekanta. The basic tenets and beneficial practices of Jainism based on anekanta deserve serious attention of all ratiocinative minds. Jainism has the potentiality to make noteworthy contributions in all spheres of life for the benefit of humanity in particular and for cosmic wellness in general and therefore it would be redeeming to pay due cognizance to its foundational ideas and practices.
The basic plank of Jaina view of reality and life is anekanta, the view of manifoldness and multifariousness which provides a basis for peaceful co-existence, corporate living, , cooperatives enterprises,, mutual caring and sharing, judicious utilization of natural and human resources, interconnectedness of all existences and reciprocity. It advocates the sublime ideals of equality, fraternity, justice and non-violence. The Jaina philosophy of inclusive pluralism, concomitance, concordance and coordination ensures adaptive flexibility and reconciliation of opposites that is very much needed these days. It is particularly helpful in intercultural dialogues, religious harmony, conflict resolution, social cohesion and peaceful living.
The view of anekanta is multi-faceted comprehending all spheres of thoughts and living. In metaphysics it calls for non-absolutism and non-dogmatism, in epistemology it advocates perspectivism, in logic it stands for symbiotic approach, in value theory it appreciates situationalism, in ethics and morality it puts forth spiritual orientation, in social, political, economic spheres it advances non-exploitative, compassionate and benevolent order, in the employment of science and technology it cares for sustainable development keeping in view environmental purity. The view of anekantais holistic and integral, comprehending local and global, individual and cosmic spheres. It is therefore necessary to know as to what are its prerequisites and presuppositions, premises and propositions, conclusions and implications. It has tremendous potentiality for a new world order, happy and harmonious, peaceful and prosperous. Delineation on its key concepts, fundamental ideas and seminal practices will help in appreciating the significance of this Jaina contribution in the present age of globalization. In this Panel discussion it shall be our endeavor to dwell upon and highlight Jainism as "Applied/ Engaged Philosophy", a philosophy which is practice-oriented presenting a symbiosis of endmeans-modality leading to authentic and purposeful living. The main focus will be on judicious and sustainable development and sustainable consumption which can ensure environmental purity and cosmic order.
Multifaceted Symbiotic Philosophy of Jainism and Its Contemporary Relevance and Significance Jainism as a philosophy and culture, as a view of reality and a way of life, has made immense contribution to world thought and culture which is of universal and perennial significance and value provided it is properly understood and adequately practiced. It is at once ancient in terms of origin and contemporary in terms of relevance. If its basic tenets, doctrines and practices are appropriately reinterpreted as per modern human psyche and its needs and aspirations and expressed in present day idioms and phraseology and sincerely practiced by individuals, socio-cultural organizations and world forums they may provide not only succour and solace to distracted humanity but also pave way for cosmic peace and universal happiness apart from spiritual enhancement. Jainism is essentially a principled mode of living based on right understanding of the nature of reality and meaning of life. Through correct attitude and mental make up (samyak drsti) proper knowledge (samyak jnana) can be acquired and based on that alone proper mode of living (samyakcaritra) is possible. These
