Jainism from the View Point of Vedantic Acaryas

Author(s): Yajneshwar S Shastri
Publisher: B J Institute

Page 12

Jainism from the view point of Vedāntic Acāryas
(with special reference to Nimbārka, Sankara and Rāmānuja).
Intoduction
Jainism is one of the oldest religio-philosophical systems of India. Jainas emphasize on principle of Ahimsā (non-violence) and their Anekāntavāda or Syādvāda is expansion of this principle at intellectual level. But unfortunately, this Anekāntavāda (doctrine of many-sidedness of reality) or Syādvāda (theory of seven-fold judgement) has become subject of severe criticism of the Buddhists as well as Vedantic Teachers. The superficial understanding of this principle, seems to be main reason behind this criticism. It is also important to note that, almost all these critics of Jainism, mention only Digambara Jainas by name. Probably, they were not familiar with Śvetāṁbara sect. Prior to Vedāntic Acāryas, Buddhist logicians like Dharmakirti and Śāntarakṣita, bitterly criticise the Anekāntavāda or Syādvāda. Dharmakirti states that, the shameless and naked Jainas make such non-sensical and contradictory remarks that reality is both existence and non-exist