Book Title: Jainism in Buddhist Literature
Author(s): Bhagchandra Jain Bhaskar
Publisher: Alok Prakashan

Previous | Next

Page 206
________________ ( 187 ) Paramattha is true because of indicating the true characteristics of realties : Duve saccāni akkhäsi Sambuddho vadatam varo. Sammutim paramatthañca tativam n' ūpalabbhati. Paramatthavacanam saccam dhammānam tathalakkhanarh68 On the other hand, it is also said that there is only one truth, not second ( ekan hi saccam na dutiyamatthi ).67 This contradictory statement appears to give the impression that even in Buddhism the nature of things is considered through some sort of relativistic standpoint which is similar to the theory of Nayavada of Jainism, Buddhism was aware of the conception of the Nayavāda of Jainism, since the Anguttara Niki ya refers to the several Pacceka saccas ( individual truths ) of the several Recluses and Brāhmanas. If it is so, the conception of Paccekasacca ( Partial truth ) of Buddhism is definitely influenced by the Nayavada of Jainism. There is no doubt that Jainism founded this theory earlier than Buddhism. 3. The Theory of Syādvāda We have observed in our discussion on Nayavada that it is not an absolute means of knowing the nature of relaity. The further examination of truth is attempted by the theory oi Condtional Dialecitc or Syadvada. The Nayavāda is analytical in character, while the Syadyāda is a synthetical in method. The latter investigates the various standpoints of the truth made possible by naya and integrates them into a constent and comprehensive synthesis. Dasgupta describes the relation between these two methods as follows: "There is no universal or absolute position or negation, and all judgements are valid only conditionally. The relation of the naya doctrine with the syūdvada doctrine is, therefore, this, that for any judgement according to any and every naya there are as many alternatives. as are indicated by Syadvada. 69"} The prefix Syāt in the Syadvāda represents the existence of those characters which, though not perceived at the mom

Loading...

Page Navigation
1 ... 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 241 242 243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250 251 252 253 254 255 256 257 258 259 260 261 262 263 264 265 266 267 268 269 270 271 272 273 274 275 276 277 278 279 280 281 282 283 284 285 286 287 288 289 290 291 292 293 294 295 296 297 298 299 300 301 302 303 304 305 306 307 308 309 310 311 312 313 314 315 316 317 318 319 320 321 322 323 324 325 326