The Truth

Author(s): O P Jain
Publisher: Veer Nirvan Granth Prakashan Samiti

Page 16

METHOD OF ENQUIRY
Classification means the sorting or arrangement of things into classes or sets according to their characteristics. The true characteristic (lakshna) is the one that is actually found in common in every member of the class, but in nothing else outside it.
2.3 The concept of nayavada is very important as all troubles that have arisen among men with respect to religion and metaphysics are simply due to their ignorance of its fundamental principles. It means a system of standpoints. In Metaphysics, it is the keeping in mind, at the time of raising a subsequent mental superstructure thereon, of the particular side or aspect from which any specific statement is made or a specific conclusion is reached. For instance, we observe all objects of matter changing, shifting and perishing in Nature, but this is so only in respect of the forms in which matter appears, not in respect of matter itself, which is eternal. Suppose we generalise upon the impermanence of things and leave out of account the underlying continuity of matter as matter, to better emphasize the transiency of its forms, and then set out to build up a system of metaphysics upon this one-sided emphasis, we should have something like the doctrine known as kshanikavada, which maintains that there is nothing permanent in the Nature, so that things must constantly arise out of and vanish into pure nothingness. Here the confusion has obviously arisen from the ignoring of the fact that the impermanence of things is confined to their forms, and does not extend to their material or substance. This one instance suffices to demonstrate the principle of nayavada and to warn us against all such one-sided absolutisms. There are many ways of looking at a thing, the important ones of which are :
Standpoint
Real or scientific (Nischaya) e.g., calling a pitcher of clay containing water, a pitcher of clay and not a pitcher of water
Popular or vulgar (vyavhara) e.g., calling the pitcher of clay containing water, a pitcher of water
Dravyarthika Paryayarthika (having reference to (having reference to natural attributes forms and modificain pure form of tions of things) substances)