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Naya, Nayābhāsa and Niksepa
Anekāntavāda, Syādvāda and Nayavāda
Nayavāda is an epistemological tenet, Anekāntavāda is a metaphysical theory and Syādvāda is a method of faultless statements. According to Jainism real entity is multi-faceted. It has multi-characteristics. Modes of a real entity are infinite. To accept a real entity with multi-faceted characteristic attributes and modes is called 'anekāntavāda'. A real entity having two or more attributes is called as anekadharmātmaka (multi-faceted or multi-attributed) substance.
In Jainism, a real entity sat is defined as - “Which bears origniation (utpāda) cessation (vyaya) and persistence (dhrauvya) is a real entity (sat)'.” In a real entity these three characteristics are found simultaneously - a new mode is originated, present mode becomes past and the substance remains persistent (dhruva). Origination and cessation of modes approve non-eternity and persistence shows eternity of that reality. This characteristic of reality (sat) is also mentioned as a nature of substance-cum-mode. Substance is eternal and modes are non-eternal or impermanent. Hence, sat is eternalcum-non-eternal. Substance is considered as generic and modes are considered as particular, hence a reality can be mentioned as generic-cum-particular.
Knowing of a reality needs the different standpoints and those standpoints are called 'naya' in Jainism. From the
'utpāda-vyaya-dhrauvyayuktam sat. - Tattvārthasūtra 5.29
