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EXAMINATION OF THE PERSON OF SUPER-NORMAL VISION'. 1403
TEXTS (3151-3153).
" THAT SAME REASON, BY WHICH THE OMNISCIENCE OF ONE PERSON IS PROVED, MERELY ON ACCOUNT OF YOUR LOVE FOR YOUR OWN VIEW OF THINGS, -IS FOUND TO BE PRESENT IN OTHER PERSONS ALSO;
THE OBJECTIONS ALSO THAT THE BUDDHISTS, WITH GREAT ZEAL, URGE AGAINST THE ARGUMENTS IN PROOF OF THE OMNISCIENCE OF Jina, ARE ALSO URGED BY THE Jainas (AGAINST THE OTHER PARTY). -UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES, HOW CAN ANY DEFINITE CONCLUSION BE ARRIVED AT THROUGH SUCH REASONINGS AND COUNTER-REASONINGS, WHICH ARE UNCERTAIN AND SWALLOWED BY THEIR OWN
REFLECTIONS ? "--(3151–3153)
COMMENTARY.
There is a certain reasoning adduced by the Buddhists in support of the omniscience of Buddha in this form- Buddha must be regarded as a person who directly knew the true nature of all things,--because he has taught things unheard of, uninferred and in conformity with the real state of things,-- just like the ordinary man who has seen water and talks about it'. This same reasoning is put forward by the Digambara Jainas for proving the omniscience of Jina.—So that the matter remains as doubtful as before.-- Again, when the Jaina has put forward his reasoning in support of the omniscience of Jina,--the Buddhists put forward objections against it, in the form- The teachings of Jina, in regard to Syädväda and other doctrines being impossible, he cannot be regarded as omniscient'; these same are urged by the Jainas when the Buddhist adduces his reasoning in support of the omniscience of Buddha,—the Jaina's counter-reasoning being
Buddha cannot be regarded as omniscient because his teachings regarding the Perpetual Flux, etc. are impossible'.
In this way this becomes a case like that of Reflection and Counterreflection : When the reflected object is there, its reflection appears ; in the same way when the Reasonings and Counter-reasonings have been put forth, reasonings and counter-reasonings to the contrary come forward. These reasonings and counter-reasonings thus being always uncertain,--they are swallowed by their own reflections ; how then can there be any definite conclusion regarding the omniscience of any Person ?-(3151-3153)
The following might be urged that That person alone may be regarded as omniscient in whose case no objection can be urged to the contrary.
The answer to this is as follows:
