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Anekāntavāda : Origin and Development
The three distinct stages of evolution of the doctrine of Anekāntavāda in the early Jaina Āgamas are the main sources to examine, Whether Jainas were analysts or propounder of the views by division of issues and not of partial view of things :(a) Vibhajyavāda
The method of answering a question or following an action
by dividing the issues. (b) Nayavāda
The method of defining the framework of reference. (c) Syādvāda
The prefixing of the particle syāt, meaning “in a certain reference to a preposition, indicative of its conditional character.
The concept of Anekānta occupies a central position in Jaina philosophy. Although it is not possible, exactly, to determine the date of its origin, there is no doubt that the ontology of early Jainism was deeply influenced by this principle. Originally an ethical mode of speech, (for artha-nirņaya, artha-prarūpaña', Samyak dharma-prarūpaņa”, Samādhāna and Tattva-nirdhāraņa etc.) being concerned with what one ought or ought not to speak, anekāntavāda assumed an ontological role in the Ardhamāgadhi
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