Syadvada

Syādvāda (Devanagari: स्यादवाद) is the Doctrine of Postulation of Jainism. In other words, Syādvāda provides the body of teachings or instruction which one uses to derive a postulate or axiom. The starting assumption or postulate is given as saptabhanginaya, from which other statements are logically derived. By using saptabhanginaya the theory of relativity encompasses the truths about one system or thought which are the same in one system as in another system in uniform motion relative to it. It is henceforth impossible to determine the truth of a system within its own thought structure, and such development or furtherance of various claims of truth can be observed only in relation to other systems in uniform motion resulting in a qualified prediction as shown in the theory of Manifold Predictions. . Therefore each truth is valid within its one system, various truths are synthesized and are mutually exclusive. Amongst several truths about a particular thing, one or the other or both may in fact be valid.

Sanskrit

The Sanskrit language (संस्कृता वाक् saṃskṛtā vāk) is the liturgical language of Jainism. This article gives translations and interpretations of meanings of Sanskrit words into English. For in the English language there is no direct translation of the one word Sanskrit terms given above, but rather a concept in the English language is given to portray the thought symbol of Mahavira's philosophy. The etymology of syadvada comes from two roots. Syat means "may be" Whereas vada means "assertion". Placed together syādvāda becomes the assertion of what may be, the assertion of possibilities.

Theory of Manifold Predictions

From Jain Epistemology describes the saptabhanginaya or sevenfold predication.

1. syadasti = Perhaps or maybe, ... it is.
2. syatnasti = Perhaps or maybe, ... it is not.
3. syadasti nasti ca = Perhaps or maybe, ... it is, it is not.
4. syadavaktavyah = Perhaps or maybe, ... it is indeterminate or indescribable.
5. syadasti ca avaktavya sca = Perhaps or maybe, ... it is and also indeterminate or indescribable.
6. syatnasti ca avaktavyasca = Perhaps or maybe, ... it is not and also indeterminate or indescribable.
7. syadasti nasti ca avaktav-yasca = Perhaps or maybe, ... it is and it is not and also indeterminate or indescribable.

Blind Men and an Elephant

There is a conundrum put forth in the story of Blind Men and an Elephant. This story can be analyzed from several perspectives of spirituality, with the Jain version of the Blind Men and an Elephant bringing together all statements in synthesis.

Enlightenment

The ability to dogmatically uphold and support the theory of manifold predictions appears self-defeating. The question for the truth, therefore feels unattainable once the reality is seen to be multifaceted from various points of view. However, this dilemma is resolved because Kevalis, are those who have found infinite knowledge and they can arrive at the ultimate truth or wisdom of the matter. Those who are not Kevali, and only exist in the mundane world would have only a portion of the truth and arrive at sevenfold predication.

See also

• Anekantavada

Notes

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