Jaina Biology

SR No.: 001543
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: J C Sikdar
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad
Total Pages: 340
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Science, Biology, & Philosophy
File Size: 19 MB

Page 198

The Organisation of the Human Body
blood vessels and nerve ending,"15 Visuddhimagga describes that the outer side is called the outer cuticle (germinative zone of the epidermis) which is black, brown or yellow in colour; "the skin itself is white and its whiteness becomes evident when the outer cuticle is destroyed by contact with the flame of a fire or the impact of a blow so on."16
and
cocoons,
As to the shape of the skin, Jaina Biology states that it has different17 (ṇāṇā saṁthāṇā), while Visuddhimagga18 describes that it is of the shape of the body in brief. But the skin covering phalanges (Padangulitaco) is of the shape of silk - worms the skin covering metatarsal bones is that of shoes with uppers, the skin covering calf of fibula bone is like a palm leaf wrapping cooked rice) the skin covering the femur is of the shape of a long sack full of paddy, the skin covering the hip bone (buttock ) has the shape of hide stretched over a plank, the skin of the belly is of the shape of the hide stretched over a guiver, the skin of the backs of the hand (radius) is like the shape of a razor box, or the shape of the comb, the covering phalanges and metatarsal bones is of the shape of a key box; the skin of the face resembles the shape of an insect's nest full of holes and the skin of the cranium is of the shape of a bowel bag.19 Buddhist description of the skin has been made in detail on the basis of the shapes of individual parts of the body which are covered by the skin.
Mention of seven layers of skin in Jaina Biology is supported by by modern Biology in some respects when the latter describes that "the epidermis is really made up of several of different kinds of cells, which vary in number in different parts of the body" 20
"The dermis is much thicker than the epidermis and is composed largely of connective tissue fibers and cells" 21
187
15. Biology, p. 338.
16. Visuddhimagga VIII, 93, vide Sacitra Ayurveda, p. 67. V;svayurveda-aņka. March, 1972.
"Tassa upari kalasam pitädivanna chavi nama, ....Taco pana vannat seto ye va. So C'assa setabhāvo aggijālābhighāta aharaṇa harādihi viddhansitāya chaviyā pākato hoti santhanato sarirasanthano va hoti /"
17. "Nanasamthagasamthie pannatti /", Pannavana. 15, Samṭhāṇadāram,
18. "Taco ti sakalasariram vethetva thita camman.. ..... santhanato sarirasaṇṭhāno
va hoti /", Visuddhimagga VIII. 93
19. "Vitthärota pana. Padangulittaco Kosakaraka-Kosasanthano
vikasanthano iti /".
20. Biology 338.
21. Ibid.
sisattaco pattattha