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Society, Epistemology and Logic in Indian Tradition
62
Nayavāda
One important point about knowledge in Jainism is nayavāda or the concept of standpoint of knowing. The object according to Jain philosophy, is multidimensional or multifaceted. We cannot know it completely at a time. We know it by one standpoint or another. Our knowledge of the object may be true from some standpoint. This nayavāda has a significant place in Jainism regarding its theory of knowledge. It is related mainly with śrutajnāna. Acquiring of knowledge
Although knowledge is an essential characteristic of a soul, and its manifestation depends on subsidence-cumdestruction (kşayopaśama) or on complete destruction (kşaya) of jñānāvaraṇa karma, but it is notable that scriptural knowledge or informative knowledge is acquired by a soul through sense orgams, mind and intellect. In the eleventh chapter of Uttarādhyayanā sūtra five obstructions have been defined in achievement of such knowledge, i.e. - (i) Pride (ii) anger (iii) carelessness (iv) illness (v) idleness." Alongwith this, eight assisting causes are also mentioned for acquiring knowledge- (i) politeness (ii) restrain (iii) silence at other's secrets. (iv) well-conduct (v) avoidance of mis-conduct (vi) avoidance of ardent desire(greed) (vii) victory on anger (viii)interest in the truth." A disciplined desciple is quite able to enrich knowledge as it is clear from the first and the eleventh chapter of Uttarādhyayanasūtra. A student who lives near a teacher with self restrained mind and activities, performing
"Uttarādhyayana, 11.3 * Uttarādhyayana, 11.4-5
