can you explain the naigam naya and give an example
Certainly! In Jain philosophy, naya means a standpoint or a perspective from which reality can be described. There are several types of nayas, and each helps in understanding the complex nature of reality, emphasizing the doctrine of anekantavada (non-absolutism or many-sidedness).
Naigam Naya is the first type of naya. It is called the "ordinary" or "general" standpoint. This perspective looks at things in a very broad, undifferentiated way, focusing on the general or collective purpose rather than specific details or distinctions. It often considers the initial, general intention or the ultimate purpose behind actions or phenomena, not distinguishing between the steps involved.
Example of Naigam Naya:
Suppose a person is preparing food. From the naigam naya, we might say, "The person is cooking." We do not distinguish whether the person is chopping vegetables, boiling water, or frying spices. All these various activities are simply subsumed under the general activity of "cooking," focusing on the overall purpose rather than the specific actions.
In summary, naigam naya looks at the general purpose or collective activity, without detailing the individual components or steps involved. This is useful in understanding the broader perspective before delving into specifics, as Jain philosophy encourages considering multiple viewpoints.