________________
of the rela
the One and the Many
AN EPITOME OF JAINISM
Plurality is a fact, although it may be From the stand-point another kind of experience. Anyhow to give tion between it the name of Illusion (Aten) is not to explain
" it. The question then turns to this. How
thus Illusion comes to be reconciled with the Absolute? How is this solution possible, if the Absolute is the one without a second to stand by it (एकमेवाहितीय). And the Ultimate Reality without anything to aid or stand by it being one, what is the source of this Illusion of Plurality. Thus the whole question resolves itself into the Relation of Unity and Plurality.
If the ultimate reality be many, how can ifficulties you explain a single self-existent coherent lishment of system? If there is a relationship between
A. B. C D., and so on then these are elements of a single whole and so related to each other
If you begin with the Absolute separation Set out in a between Unity and Plurality, then you must alterialive. either deny Plurality like Shankar or deny
Unity like Kanad, the propounder of the Specific (Vaisheshika) school of thought. But these difficulties crop up only on the assumption that the ultimate Reality is either One or
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In the estab.
the Relation
Definite
