Vada in Theory and Practice: Studies in Debates, Dialogues and Discussions in Indian Intellectual Discourses c6.s5.t3.1

c6.s5.t3.1

The practice of Vibhajyavāda in later śramaṇic traditions culminated into the theory of *anekānta*. Avoidance of *ekānta* (one-sidedness) is Anekānta. Matilal (1981: 1) explains the philosophy of Anekānta as “the theory of non-one-sidedness” or “the theory of many-sidedness of reality”. Because of its acceptance of many-folded nature of reality, Anekānta had the capability of traversing on different *nayas* (standpoints) offering justification of each. Each standpoint has its conditionality and if stated without any conditionality, it remains unjustified. Accepting any doctrine or system unconditionally would mean exclusion of all rival doctrines and systems. Anekānta requires an understanding of the truth behind diverse standpoints and also the conditions of these standpoints, overruling every prejudice.