Lessons of Ahimsa and Anekanta for Contemporary Life

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

Page 94

Kamla Jain, "Multi-dimensional Significance of Anekantavāda”
the foundational principle of Jainas, which provides a rationale of coherence where different systems of philosophy present different aspects of reality.
It needs to be clarified that syādvāda or seven-fold judgments are not figments of imagination, they are only expressions of many-faceted reality for its fullest comprehension. It should also be noted that syadvada should not be seen as a theory of doubt or that the term 'syāt' means 'may be' or ‘perhaps' which would amount to a form of skepticism. A comprehensive description of varied nature of objects is not an expression of doubt or skepticism. Rather, it underscores a number or possibilities for understanding reality.
In modern social context there cannot be a better interpretation of anekānta than secularism. It is the modern social philosophical definition of anekānta. Secularism secularism is generally characterized by (i) decline of religious belief (ii) separation of church and state (iii) respect for all religions. It is this last meaning which is most relevant in the Indian context. A secular state protects all religions equally and favors none at the expense of others. The state recognizes equal rights and privileges and duties as belonging to all citizens irrespective of their religion or caste. It does not mean indifference to religion nor does it mean opposition to religion. It only means that the state as such does not identify itself with any particular religion and not only tolerates but appreciates every religion. Under no circumstance does it mean rejection of relevance of religion or that it eulogizes irreligion. In simplest terms it means 'equal respect for all religions' It does not mean abandoning spirituality from the life of people or even from the affairs of the state. It should only mean elimination of religion - based conflicts and confrontations that destroy the social fabric of our society and exhaustion of energies of nation. The talk of separation of religion from politics should be read as separation of communalism from politics. True religion is a part of life which is nothing but universal values. Jawaharlal Nehru once said that the use of the word 'secular' to describe Indian State was 'perhaps not a very happy one and that it was
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