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206
Tattvarthasutra
The largest skandha of the pudgala (matter) is known as the Ahichchhita Mahaskandha, which is composed of infinite infinitesimal particles; it also resides in the infinite space. In Jain philosophy, the dimension of the soul is not as vast as space, nor is it atomic like particles, but it is considered a medium dimension; although all souls share the same medium dimension in terms of quantity, their length, breadth, and so on are not the same. This raises the question of how much of the living substance's basis can be considered within the infinite and the superior. The answer given here is that the basis of a living being can range from countless parts of infinite space to the entirety of infinite space. Although infinite space is an infinite dimensional region, it can also be imagined as countless parts of infinite space that possess parts of finite dimensions. Even the smallest part is also counted as infinite space. One being can reside in such a part, and likewise, many beings can reside in that part. Thus, as the parts increase, ultimately, one being can reside in the entire infinite space. In other words, the smallest basis of living substance is a part of finite dimension in infinite space, which is just one of innumerable parts of the entire infinite space. In the lifespan of that being, or at the same time of another life, something few remain.