Source Book in Jaina Philosophy

SR No.: 001263
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Devendramuni
Publisher: Tarak Guru Jain Granthalay
Publication Year: 1983
Total Pages: 590
Language: English
Classification: Book_English & Philosophy
File Size: 10 MB

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A SOURCB-ROOK IN JAINA PHILOSOPHY
THE NATURE OF THE UNIVERSE ? We live in this world. The entire cosmus including our world is Loka. It is the stellar universe. Beyond this, is the vast un-limited. This is Aloko. It is beyond and infinite. Therefore, we have the Universe and the beyond, the limited and unlimited, the Loka and Aloka. In the vast unlimited bcyond, in the Aloka, the fundamental substances like Dharma, Adharma, Kāla, Pud gala and Jiva have no relevance. They have their relevance and they exist in the Loka, the limited universe. It is also said that the Loka is a cosmos which gives subsistence for the five Ástikāyas (multi-dimensional substances). In the Uttarädhyayana, the Loka is described as that which sustains jīva and ajiva. 2
The distinction between Loka and Aloka, the limited and the unlimited is an eternal distinction and it was not made at any particular time ; because it is not possible to divide the eternal and the non-eternal on some one principle. Substances (saddravya) are also eternal. Space can be divided but the division is only artificial and is meant for practical purposes. There is no fundamental division in space. Time is the basis of change and this can be considered from the noumenal and phenomenal points of view. From the noumenal point of view. time is the basis of the modifications of jiva and ajīva (living and the non-living substances). Time is the fundamental principle which is present in Loka and Aloka. From the phenomenal point of view, time is measured for practical purposes on the basis of the revolutions of the sun and the moon, and this measurement bas relevance only to the human world. Jiva and Pudgala (living substance and matter) are characterised by activity and have their madhyama-parināma (phenomenal activity). The distinction between Laka and Aloka and their limits are to be determined by the Ddarma and the Adharma astikāyas. They divide the space into two parts- the limited and the limitless. The limited sustains the universe ; the limitless is the beyond: It is Aloka. In the limitless Alokākāša, the principles of Dharma and Adhurma (motion and rest) do not operate. Therefore, Līva and Pudgala are located in the limited universe (Lokākāśa). 1 Bhagavati i 13, 4. 2 Uttarādhyayana : 36, 2.