Anekāntavāda And Syādvāda: The Method Of Synthesis

In this critical state of things, Jainism offers a humanitarian method of synthesis. The Tīrthaṅkaras taught this sublime method thousands of years ago and unfurled the flag of universal spiritual unity on which were written the golden words, Ahiṁsā Paramo Dharmaḥ (Non-violence is the highest religion). Lord Varddhamāna was the last of these blessed Tīrthaṅkaras, who proclaimed: -

"Eyante nirvekkhe no sijjahi viviha bhāvagaṃ dabbaṃ,
Taṃ tahāvā aneyṃāidi bujjhahā siya aneyantaṃ.''

"If one ignores the various other attributes of a substance and sticks to one aspect only, one will never realise the truth of it. Therefore it is necessary to grasp fully well the significance and meaning of Anekānta (logic), as defined by the prefix syād (somehow)."

The Jain conception of Anekānta (many-sided viewpoints), in fact, is essential to end the fractions which rise owing to self-conceit of only one-sided knowledge of a thing or problem. Fraction-men never think in a relative aspect of a question: unfortunately they are swayed by their particular motives and half-truths. This creates a chaos in intellectual world and results in different kind of 'isms'-as we see today rampant in the whole world. On the other hand, the principle of Anekānta teaches us the right method to realise whole truth in its varied aspects and thereby understand the viewpoints of others. We cannot ignore the reality which points out that every living being is self-centred and he is independent to think and act. The peculiarity of Anekānta is that it rationalises the thought and equips it with the spirit of synthesis. Therefore the Anekānta principle of Jain thought offers the key to the hidden realms of truth in various systems of thought and to whole truth of reality: thus it is an unfailable instrument for world peace and world unity. It will create a society of rational men, instead of fraction-men, who having realised the oneness of life in the midst of diversity, will act and serve not only human beings but every living being. Anekānta if practised will turn the Fraction-men into Cosmic-man.