Some Problems in Jaina Psychology

SR No.: 001260
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: T G Kalghatgi
Publisher: Karnatak University Dharwar
Publication Year: 1961
Total Pages: 205
Language: English
Classification: Book_English & Philosophy
File Size: 13 MB

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SOME PROBLEMS IN JAINA PSYCHOLOGY
It is the antaranga. Nivrtti is the internal physiological composition of the sense organ. Upayoga is the hormic force which is responsible for the sense experience. Labdhi is the manifestation of the horme in order to produce a specific sense experience under suitable psychic and physiological conditions.
The Jainas have given a detailed analysis of the structure of the different sense organs. For instance, the internal part of the sense of hearing is like the kadamba flower or like a ball of flesh, māṁsagolā-kāra. The internal eye is of the size of a grain of corn, dhānya masārākāra. The sense organ of smell is like a flower, mukta kusuma candra. The organ of taste is like the edge of a knife. The sense of touch is of various forms. Similar descriptions can be given regarding the upakaraṇa or protective cover of the organ. For instance, the external part of the organ of taste consists of a collection of clear particles of matter, svecchatara pudgala samüha.21
The spread-outness of the sense organs is another problem mentioned by the Jainas.22 The eye is the smallest. The organ of hearing is also small, but it is bigger than the eye. Sometimes it expands when it hears loud sounds. The organ of smell occupies the largest space. However, it is limited in extent. If it were unlimited in extent, experience of smell would be possible even when the object touches any part of the body. But this is not the fact. The organ of taste has greater extent, although it is still limited, angulu mita. However, the sense organ of touch is unlimited in extent. It pervades the whole body. It is sarīra vyāpaka. Thus the sense of touch is considered by the Jainas as primary in one more sense. It is possible in any part of the body.
Modern psychologists point out that the sense organ of touch is really unlimited in extent, because it gives rise to various sense expreriences like pressure, temperature and organic pain. In fact, even the internal parts of the organism give us experiences which are reducible to the experience due to tactile stimulation. Organic pains like stomach-ache are, in fact, species of the experience of touch. In this sense, all sense experiences can be reduced to the tactile sense experience. The Jainas can be said to be justified in giving primacy to the sense of touch.
The Jaina description of the different parts of the organs may well be compared to the description of the sense organs given by modern physiologists, although the latter have given an accurate and detailed analysis of the structure of sense organs based on experimental investigations. We may, however, note that experimental investigation was
21 Abhidhänarājendra, Vol. 2 Indriya. 22 Prajmāpanāgātra, 15.