________________
श्रमण / अप्रैल-जून/ १९९६
Relativism (Sāpekṣatāvāda) which has been addressed as the realistic pluralism ( Anekāntavāda) in its metaphysics, as the theory of relativity (Syadvāda) in its epistemology and the theory of Nonviolence ( Ahiṁsāvāda ) in its ethics. Relativism is actually a theory of Non-violence though it has been named so in the field of ethics. Anekantavāda (The Realistic Pluralism)
Jaina metaphysics has assingned: "anantadharmātmakaṁ vastu.
,, 5
: ८९
The Tattva which is the ultimate reality has been also named as Dravya, Padartha, Substance. It has infinite characteristics ( Dharmas), which cannot be known by an ordinary person. An ordinary man can know either one ( Eka) or many (Aneka ). He cannot know the infinte. Therefore 'Anekanta' means many limitations, many extensions, many relations, many points of views. A thing may be known from various angles. All views or angles may be correct in their own limitations. The Anekāntavāda is a theory which keeps a knower in his own limitation. So whenever he crosses his own limitation and declares his knowledge as right and complete one and that of other being totally wrong and incomplete, he commits injury. The injury committed by him may be seen in two ways: 1. Sva-himsā ( Self-injury): The person who presents his partial and incomplete knowledge as a full and complete one, he commits his own injury caused by egoism.
2. Para-himsā ( Injury of other): When he proclaims that only he possesses correct knowledge because of its completeness and other person has worng knowledge because of its incompleteness he commits Para-himsā, i.e., injury of other by pinching his heart. For nobody wants to be declared as a person with wrong knowledge.
Syadvāda (Theory of Relativity)
Syadvāda is the epistemological theory of Jainism. It provides a method to express the theory of Anekāntavāda. It means Syādvāda is a theory which guides how to present the relative
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
