Lessons of Ahimsa and Anekanta for Contemporary Life

Author(s): Tara Sethia
Publisher: California State Polytechnic University Pomona

Page 92

Kamla Jain, "Multi-dimensional Significance of Anekāntavāda”
kşetra, kala and bhāva); it is non-existent (asat) in relation to otherness (parabhāva). In other words, anekānta is an attempt to overcome extreme views or one-sidedness. One can say, this is the operation of 'Rashomon effect. This expression conveys the idea that all facts and events are subject to multiple interpretations. Thus, the attitude of anekānta could work as the starting point of eliminating or, at least, reducing religious social, political, familial conflicts, which often culminate in intolerance at all levels national and even international. In more general sense anekānta is the true spirit of ahimsā, which does not remain confined to the individual's code of conduct alone but reaches metaphysical and more importantly societal plane.
Anekāntavāda with is its corollaries of nayavāda and syādvāda serves a complete and exhaustive philosophy of life. Anekāntavāda is the metaphysical outlook of Jainas as it posits the multi-dimensional aspect of reality. However, it is essentially a social philosophy of relevance which can make our social existence meaningful and peaceful. Human existence could be truly enriching with an attitude of tolerance of others and their points of view. It would be contextually relevant to briefly touch upon the corollaries of anekantavāda, that is nayavāda and syādvāda, which together reveal the functional dynamics of anekāntavāda. Naya refers to systematic thought process of understanding and analyzing every object or concept in its varied aspects and distinctions. The analysis of every object or concept takes place with the help of Naya. Jaina texts give a list of seven nayas covering all the possibilities of thought related with reality. This doctrine highlights how Jaina thinkers have gone into abstruse details of thought about reality. These nayas are : Naigama naya, Samgraha naya, vyavahāra naya, Rjusūtra naya, Śabda naya, Samabhirūdha naya, and lastly Evambhūta naya. Naigama naya refers to ways of understanding an object in its dual sense i.e. in both its general and specific sense. Samgraha naya refers to the tendency to find unity in diversity. Vyavahāra naya deals with particularity and focuses on diversity, it is the
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