Does the application of anekantvada mean you accept /tolerate everything
No. Applying Anekantavada does not mean “accepting or tolerating everything” as equally right.
Very simply:
- What Anekantavada really says
- Reality is many‑sided. - Our human view is always partial, never total. - So we should speak with humility, avoid rigid “only I am right” attitudes, and try to see other valid angles.
- What it does not mean
- It is not “all views are correct.” - It is not “no one is ever wrong.” - It is not “we must tolerate adharma (violence, falsehood, exploitation, etc.).”
Jain acharyas clearly allow rejection of views that: - Go against ahimsa, - Contradict basic tattvas (soul, karma, etc.), - Are based on ignorance or passion.
- How a Jain uses Anekantavada in practice
- Listen first: “From your viewpoint it appears like this…” - Then clarify: “From Jain darshan, when we see more sides, this part is acceptable, this part is not.” - So: - We show respect to the person, - But we can still firmly reject the wrong idea.
- Relation with Digambar / Shvetambar
- Both traditions fully accept Anekantavada. - Differences are in style and emphasis, not in this basic point: Anekantavada protects truth from one‑sidedness; it is not license to accept every claim.