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Society, Epistemology and Logic in Indian Tradition
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commonly found in all the systems of Indian philosophy, but the concept of 'naya' is a peculiar contribution of Jaina system to Indian epistemology. Although 'naya' is a part of śrutajñāna, it has been developed by the Jaina logicians as a separate branch of knowledge which denotes the different standpoints of a knower. It includes the standpoints of a speaker also. There is wide discussion on theory of naya, and its kinds in canonical and other later literature. Saptabhanginaya is related to the standpoints of a speaker. Theory of 'naya' and sevenfold predication are the result of thought of anekāntavāda (nonabsolutism) and syādvāda. For deciding the right meaning of a word Jaina thinkers have given a concept of nikșepa. There are four kinds of nikṣepa as- nāma, sthāpanā, dravya and bhāva. Tīrthankara Mahavīra replies many questions with the view of dravya, kşetra, kāla and bhāva, which also denotes the epistemic view of Jaina tradition. Conclusion
The view of non-absolutism helped Jain logicians in developing the epistemological doctrines and they formed many new technical terms such as: sāmvyavahārika pratyakşa, tiryak sāmānya,ūrdhvatā-sāmānya, saha-avinābhāva, kramaavinābhāva, antarvyāpti, bahirvyāpti etc. The Jaina epistemological literature is undoubtedly of paramount importance for understanding the development of Indian and Jaina thinking of epistemology. The Jaina logicians have contributed their mite to Indian epistemology in many ways. They discussed about every aspect of Indian epistemology and logic. It seems that they have a deep study of other systems also. It is noteworthy that they developed the epistemology regarding pramāņa upholding the canonical views, but they
