Today's featured article
|
Anekantavada is one of the most important and basic doctrines of Jainism. It refers to the principles of pluralism and multiplicity of viewpoints, the notion that truth and reality are perceived differently from diverse points of view, and that no single point of view is the complete truth. Jains contrast all attempts to proclaim absolute truth with adhgajanyāyah, which can be illustrated through the maxim of the "Blind Men and an Elephant". In this story, one blind man felt the trunk of an elephant, another the tusks, another the ears, another the tail. All the men claimed to explain the true appearance of the elephant, but could only partly succeed, due to their limited perspectives. According to the Jains, only the Kevalins—the omniscient beings—can comprehend objects in all aspects and manifestations; others are only capable of partial knowledge. Consequently, no single, specific, human view can claim to represent absolute truth. Anekāntavāda encourages its adherents to consider the views and beliefs of their rivals and opposing parties. Proponents of anekāntavāda apply this principle to religion and philosophy, reminding themselves that any religion or philosophy, even Jainism, that clings too dogmatically to its own tenets, is committing an error based on its limited point of view. (more...)
Recently featured: Toronto Magnetic and Meteorological Observatory – David Lovering – Viet Nam Quoc Dan Dang
Archive – By email – More featured articles...
|
Did you know...
|
From Wikipedia's newest articles:
- ... that Frederick Roehrig's Castle Green (pictured) in Pasadena, California, was called "a fantastic folly created from the imagination of a Victorian architect with a penchant for Arabesque opulence"?
- ... that the Canadian-based fast food company Extreme Pita began to expand to include stores in the United States in 2003, beginning with Arizona?
- ... that Lieutenant-Colonel Jonathan Davidson used his civilian experience as a civil engineer to improve his battalion's trenches during the First World War?
- ... that the chart run for George Jones' first chart single "Why Baby Why" was interrupted when Red Sovine and Webb Pierce released a duet cover of the same song?
- ... that Polish mountaineer Tadeusz Piotrowski, one of the finest winter mountaineers of the 1970s and '80s, died during descent from K2, after completing the first and only ascent by the "South Face"?
- ... that a Japanese submarine shelled the Ellwood Oil Field during World War II, the first direct attack by an enemy power on the mainland United States since the War of 1812?
- ... that baseball player Randy Johnson has pitched six times on Opening Day for the Arizona Diamondbacks, three more times than any other pitcher in Diamondbacks' history?
Archive – Start a new article...
|
|
|
In the news
|
- Lloyds TSB announce a takeover of rival UK bank HBOS (headquarters pictured) after a week of global financial market instability that saw a government bail-out for AIG, and Lehman Brothers filing for bankruptcy protection.
- Somchai Wongsawat is selected to be the next Prime Minister of Thailand during that country's current political crisis.
- The International Astronomical Union classifies Haumea as the fifth dwarf planet in the Solar System.
- Sixteen people are killed in an attack on the United States embassy in San‘a’, Yemen.
- A political crisis related to the South Ossetia war brings down the government of Ukraine.
- In the first parliamentary elections in Angola since 1992, the ruling MPLA party wins in a landslide.
- At age 21, Sebastian Vettel of Toro Rosso wins the 2008 Italian Grand Prix at Monza, becoming the youngest driver in history to win a Formula One Grand Prix.
Wikinews – Recent deaths – More current events...
|
On this day...
|
September 19: Independence Day in Saint Kitts and Nevis (1983); Armed Forces Day in Chile; International Talk Like a Pirate Day
|
|