Compendium of Jainism

SR No.: 001202
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: T K Tukol, A N Upadhye
Publisher: Prasaranga Karnatak University Dharwar
Publication Year: 1980
Total Pages: 352
Language: English
Classification: Book_English & Philosophy
File Size: 17 MB

Page 91

THE UNIVERSE
79
They however possess the characteristics of Reality viz. they undergo a cycle of cbanges, old forms gradually disappearing, new forms appearing and at the end of the cycle the original pattern is again there.
“Both Dharma and Adharma pervade through space upto world limit. They are absolutely non-physical in nature, and non-atomic and non-discrete in structure. The qualities of pudgala are not found therein. Nor do they have the structure of the space which is constituted by space-points. These two physical principles are perfectly simple.... They are spatial and yet nonspatial. They are amūrta and arūpa. They are neither light nor heavy. They are not objects of sense perception. Their existence is inferred only through their function. Such are the characteri. stics of these two principles which are distinctly peculiar to Jaina Physics”.
Dharma and adharama are not active forces but they are merely passive madia. G. R. Jain observes that the modern analogue of the medium of motion is the ether and that even to this day the problem of ether remains a puzzle. According to him, the modern scientific equivalent of the medium of rest' is the field through which the forces which maintain the cosmic unity operate. Without this medium there would be no coherent system of souls and atoms, there would be only chaosno world would be possibe. The field is similar to ether in 80 much as it is also a non-material, invisible, non-atomic, continuous and passive medium but its function is quite opposite. These two media interpenetrate in every bit of universe and do not interfere with the function of each other. He concludes: “It is worthy of notice that although all Indian philosopbies have devoted very great pains to the theories of world evolution, none of them but the Jains could think of these vital principles of motion and rest without which a stable world structure is impossible and incomplete'',
As the Jainas never accepted any God as an intelligent creator, they have worked out their concept of this world in a consistent manner.