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beliefs, encourages objective assessment, strengthens soul energy and self-confidence as well as self-restraint
Bhagwan Mahavir put the utmost focus on the philosophy of anekant for providing root support to the Dharma of Ahimsa. In his time he came face to face with as many as 363 differences of interpretation of religion. There was growing disillusionment with the cult of violence which had penetrated Hindu religious rituals and customs. Several reformist initiatives came up to counter this trend and to reassert the compassionate nature of spirituality. Jainism and Buddhism were the two most prominent religions that gave reformist orientation to their teachings, but avoiding confrontation and hostility, and persuasively pursuing their mission in a logical yet conciliatory manner. The approach of Anekant made their mission rational, objective and convincing.
In a very thoughtful observation, Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma, former President of India once said that the Jain philosophy of Anekant had richly contributed to the blossoming of the concept of "unity in diversity" in India's culture. The spirit of cultural pluralism was also strengthened thanks to the spirit of tolerance promoted by the approach of anekant. Dr. Sharma also saw great possibilities of strengthening the functioning of parliamentary democracy by bringing to bear in an effective and persuasive manner the anekant approach of reconciliation and accommodation between the ruling party and the opposition. In the present times with fundamentalist forces raising their head, it is important to promote the spirit of anekant in all spheres of life. A poet has put it very succinctly :
"There is something bad in the best of us; There is something good in the worst of us; It beholds us to find out without prejudice or fuss; The best that exists in all of us".
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