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Application of Anekantavāda in various Disciplines
with the modern man.
How can one hope to be happy without peace of mind? And how can one hope to have mental peace without Anekantavāda? Learn therefore, first to assimilate the philosophy of Anekantavāda in life and you will be astonished to find yourself mentally at peace even in the midst of all vicissitudes of life in fair weather or foul!
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The practical aspect of the 'Syadvāda' primarily lies in the fact that one must always concede to the other point of view without any biased attitude and thus win his friendship: if this be not possible, one should at least cultivate neutrality. Indeed if only we learn to see others through their point of view, mankind would be spared the sad results of manifold conflicts.
Needless to say, that Anekantaväda is like an antidote or potent pill spiritually which teaches man to think with balance of reason in the light of such comparisons and relativity and ultimately cures him of his helplessness in suffering and conceit in happiness.
Anekantavāda therefore, can be called a spiritual tonic, which tones both the body and mind of the suffering self. It promises peace of mind and therefore health of physique also. Pleasure and pain, good and bad are all our mental attitudes. Heaven and hell are first the creations of our mind before we experience them externally in life. As the great English poet Shakespeare has said, there is nothing good or bad in the world but thinking makes it so or mind in its own place can make a heaven of hell or hell of heaven." They all depend on our angles of looking at the situations. It is upto us to live in constant happiness or in permanent unhappiness on this earth.
The habit of relative or comparative thinking is the real key to peace and happiness. It served as the key to unlock the doors of wisdom and the soul means to establish uniformity amidst diversity of views. The value of looking at things from different angles both in scientific investigation and in practical affairs is obvious. It draws upon us the idea that reality is always complex it discourages dogmatism and hasty conclusions. In practical matters it nurses a spirit of justice and guards us against fanaticism. We all in short are encouraged to respect the feelings and use of others. The Anekantavāda thus, is the
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