This document discusses conflict resolution through the Jain philosophy of Anekantvad, or non-absolutism. It defines conflict and discusses the main causes. It then introduces Anekantvad, which avoids single absolute conclusions and respects different perspectives. Anekantvad establishes a basis for reconciling conflicting claims through accepting that multiple truths can co-exist. The document outlines conflict resolution tools like nonviolent communication, listening without judgment, and inclusiveness training. It emphasizes practicing respectful communication in daily life and not forgetting basic conflict resolution techniques.

1. Conflict Resolution
Championing Anekantvad
by Sudhir M. Shah

2. Conflict
• Friction, disagreement, or discord arising within a
group when the beliefs or actions of one or more
members of the group are either resisted by or
unacceptable to one or more members of another group.
• A serious disagreement or argument, typically a
protracted one.

3. Types of Conflicts

4. Main Cause of Conflicts
• Lack of respect
• Lack of trust
• Struggle for power, property etc…

5. Religion – Uniting or dividing?
• Religion, as the most powerful of cultural
expressions, has also been the greatest source of
conflicts around the world. If it continues to be a
source of disharmony among human beings, the
planet would certainly be better off without it.

6. “I do not want people to just tolerate each other, I want them to
understand and respect each other”

7. Respect
• A respectful attitude acknowledges other person’s
rights, wishes and needs
• It yields to another’s wishes and needs, not out of fear
or pity, but through acknowledging their validity.
• Respect acknowledges the value and importance of
who a person is, as well as their needs.
• Respect is the attitude that motivates one to truly serve
another because he or she deserves it.

8. Mahavir (599-527 b.c.)
Authoritative
Absolutism
Dogma
Blind
Faith
The most revolutionary and
radical thinkers of all times

9. Accept The Challenge
• Mahavir challenges us to discipline ourselves, to
bring out the inherent qualities of our soul. To be
fearless and free from dogma, superstitions and
ceremonies.
• Instead of accepting this challenge, we sometimes
get tangled up in ritualistic activities and gross codes
of conduct.

10. An alternate epistemology
• A theory of knowledge that can
support dialogue and negotiation
among people of diverse perspectives
and claims.

11. What is Anekantvad?

12. What is Anekantvad?
An(non) ek(one) ant(end) väd(ness)
•Simply put, avoiding a single absolute
conclusion or non-absolute thinking
•It is a doctrine of multifacetedness of reality

13. What is Anekantvad?
•Emphasizing the limits of ordinary knowledge,
Jain philosophy presents the theory that truth is
relative to the perspective (naya) from which it
is known.

14. What is Anekantvad?
• It is respect for the views of the
other
Thereby establishing a basis for reconciling
conflicting ideological claims.

15. Anekantvad ( Non-absolutism)
• It leads to the acceptance of the fact that
though I think my truth is right; I
acknowledge that so might be yours.
• This is stepping back from the obduracy of
“my truth, faith or religion is better than
yours”.

16. Anekantvad ( Non-absolutism)
•As a principle of non-dogmatism, Anekantvad
rejects one-sided (ekantika) views
• Existence (soul) is permanent
• Existence is constantly changing

17. Anekantvad ( Non-absolutism)
•Epistemological respect for the view of others,
however, is not relativism.
•It does not mean conceding that all arguments and all
view are equal.
•It means that logic and evidence determine which
views are workable; in what respect and to what
extent.

18. Syadvad( Logic of Relativity)
•All knowledge claims are only tentative
•“X may be Y” or “X is Y under stated
conditions” rather than “X IS Y”
•Similarity with Einstein’s theory of Relativity

19. “To deny the co-existence of mutually
conflicting viewpoints about a thing
would mean to deny the true nature of
reality”
Acharang Sutra

20. Project Anekant
Conflict Resolution/Problem Solving
Creating Mutual understanding & Respect
Non-violent communication
Training in listening without judgment
Jain Unity – Inclusiveness Training

21. Conflict Resolution

22. Listening Without Judgment

23. Nonviolent Communication

24. Inclusiveness Training

25. Examples

26. All life is bound together by mutual support and interdependence
“Parasparopgraho Jivanam”
Ancient Jain scriptural aphorism

27. …WORDS
Conflicts begin with…
…Thoughts
Respectful Communication Training
…Action

28. Akbar Birbal Story

29. Practice in daily life!

30. Don’t forget the BASICS