Pristine Jainism

Author(s): S M Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

Page 93

(90) : Pristine Jainism versa, and thus if each other reconciles to other's views even if these may be divergent. Every person till he attains enlightenment has a bias for his own views because of ingrained selfish gains and would, therefore, be dogmatic and insist on his own views. One may be right but this does not mean others are wrong and they may also be right with their own viewpoint. There is another interesting example of four or six blind persons. One of them touches the feet of an elephant and describes it as a pillar, second touching its tail says it is a broom, the third touches ears and says that the elephant is a big fan for stirring air in summer. The fourth that touches the trunk says that it is a thick rope. Now each if dogmatic will say that he is right and others are wrong whereas the fact is that all are right and simultaneously all are wrong. Reconciling with divergent views for mutual benefit will avoid religious conflicts in communities, social tensions and unpleasantness in families. The methodology of “Anekānta" prescribed in Jainism is also an important instrument to promote rationality. According to the theory of relativity in
n science two observers at different distances and time will observe a thing differently. However, Anekānta does not imply ambiguity or uncertainty but is a rational method of knowing complete, real truth after analysis or synthesis of all viewpoints.
Principle of cause and effect (Karma Siddhānta):
The principle of influx of Karmic matter with soul is based on scientific principle of interactions, their causes and effects. The time-lag between a cause and its effect is immediate or from a few moments to several years or even after new births and life cycles. This can be understood by simple observations viz. different seeds sown take time for fruiting from a few months to a few years. Many historical events manifest after several years, centuries and millennia. Conditioning of child, his education gives benefits after several years. Green house effect of CO, from carboniferous fuels being burnt for the past decades is showing adverse effects now. Some effects are instant such as of deadly poison, of fire, atomic holocaust etc.