________________
Indian Philosophical School and Anekāntavāda
213
adversaries some of them are in order here: 5. The dilemma of Anekānta - Ācārya Madhva presents a dilemma of Anekānta in the following manner: -
Is Anekānta itself Ekānta or anekānta ? If it is Ekānta, the stipulation that all views are true is contradicted, if on the other hand Anekānta then its stipulated meaning is unavailable so in either case there is a rope for a noose for the neck of Anekāntavādina (Ubhayataḥ pāśa Rajjuh)
This dilemma was earlier presented by Šamkara and Vācasapti Miśra. The latter, however, tried to save Anekānta by stating that Anekānta is not universally used for the Jains themselves state that there are seven tattvas. The logic of Anekānta is not applied to the doctrine of seven tattvas and the like that are maintained by Jainas.
In fact Jainism presents a true Ekanta. Its metaphysics that is confirmed by Anekānta which internally gives a principle of the synthesis of all views. Its ekānta is a part of pluralism that is not contradicted by Anekānta. Its Anekānta is a synthetic view that accommodates its Ekānta. So the combination of Ekānta in respect of Jainism is not contradicted by Anekānta.
Moreover, Jaina philosophers themselves have raised a few problems concerning Anekanta.
First, their opponents have pointed out that if the Saptabharigi be applied to Anekānta it becomes handicapped. To this the Jaina philosophers reply that Saptbhangi can be applied meaningfully to Anekānta. There are thus seven bhargas as :
1. Syād Ekānta. 2. Syād Anekānta 3. Syad ubhaya Ekānta 4. Syād avakta vya. 5. Syād ekānta avaktavya. 6. Syād anekānta avakta vya. 7. Syād ekānta-anekānta avaktavya.
But in this context they propose that there are Samyak (true) ekānta, Mithya (false) Ekānta, Samyak (true) Anekānta and Mithya (false) Anekanta. Samyak Ekānta is naya and samyak anekānta is
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
