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Kokila Shah
This concept of Anekanta - the manifoldness of reality is in fact a unique contribution of Jainism to philosophical tradition of India. Anekantavada is the theory of manifoldness of reality. It signifies plurality of characteristics of an object. It implies that in order to arrive at truth one should take into account "all possible angles of vision regarding any object." The emphasis is on complex and variable nature of reality. It denotes that each real has manifold aspects or diverse forms. Thus it follows that reality is endowed with characteristics which appear to be contradictory. Jain theory of relativity - Syadvada describes multifaceted reality by seven possible statements. The seemingly contradictory attributes of an object are compatible from different point of views. As it is put, "A particular mode appears only in a particular set of conditions. With changed conditions there will be another mode of existence of that thing. So all our knowledge of a thing at particular spatiotemporal locus is conditional and relative."10 Possibly, uncertainty principle is the foundational law of the world. It seems that Einstein's theory of relativity and Heisenberg's uncertainty principle are in accordance with the Jain metaphysical doctrines. With Aneka-ntava-da of Jainism one can comprehend reality not only in its complete form but also in its different aspects.
Jaina term 'Pudgal' includes the concept of matter and various forms of energy. Matter is the most important of non-living substances. It constitutes the basis of material world. The atoms of different elements of matter build up physical object. Jain conception of matter as possessing energy and capable of undergoing various modifications has been confirmed by science. Modifications of pudgal take the form of sound, heat light etc. Einstein's theory proved that mass and energy are interchangeable. The law of conservation of mass and energy come into existence after Einstein's theory in early 20th century. This concept existed long before in Jainism. Modern science has confirmed the Jain principle that matter is never destroyed. Again the statement in Jain Agamas about unlimited energy of matter finds complete acceptance in modern science.
Jainism is realistic pluralism Syadvada of the Jains presents the theory of possibility that is possibility of predicating different attributes of an object from the substantial point and from the point of view of modes. The doctrine of modes is also important. The implications of Jain doctrines are highly realistic and they need to be studied in scientific concepts. Perhaps comparison and analysis of the doctrines of Jain theory of relativity and their applications in Quantum mechanics may prove to be useful.
Before, proceeding further, let us discuss the problem of dual nature of matter. More explicitly the theories of light whether light is in the form of waves or particles. Quantum mechanics tried to answer this problem. As far as jainism is concerned, Jain conception of nature of reality is non-absolutistic.
