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 300

EIGHTH CHAPTER
CONCLUSION
A Survey of the Plant and Animal Kingdoms as revealed in Jaina
Biology in the light of modern Biology
A study of the plant and animal kingdoms as found in the Agamas and post-āgamic works reveals that Jaipa Biology is the science of living thing (jivadravya ) which is different from non-living (ajivadravya). The thought on the world of life : plants and animals, began with the Jainacāryas on the basis of the concept of animism and non-violence (ahimsā) in the ancient past, along with the idea of the requirement of food to sustain life with a sense of the spiritual value of the life of all beings. They have studied the plant and animal kingdoms with some carefully controlled observation and made a discovery in the world of life : Plants and animals, by their critical observation and methods in some details so that their followers also can repeat them in their field. They have recorded the results of their observations, made discussion on the conclusion to be drawn from them, perhaps formulated a theory to explain them and indicated the place of these biological facts in the present body2 of scientific knowledge contained in the Jaina Āgamas and post-āgamic works, of course without scienuific verification of modern Biology.
The facts of Jaina Biology as embodied in the Jaina Āgamas are gained by the application of the scientitic method, yet it is difficult to reduce this to a simple set of modern Biology that can be applied to the Jaina Biological science, for the confirmation of the statement by the independent observation of another in any scientific investigation is demanded by the sceptical scientists of the present age.
A method has been followed by the Jainācāryas to see through a mass of biological data. The idea that living systems are distinguished from non-living ones by some mysterious vital force (parypāti?) has been accepted in Jaina Biology. There appear to be no exceptions to the generalization that all life comes only from living things.
1. Bhagavati Sūtra 25. 2. 720 ; Sthânănga 2. 95; Pannavana Sutta 1,3, p. 4; Jivābhigama. p. 3.
!!
: 2. Bhagavati. Sthāpānga ; Pannavadā ; Jivabbigama ; Acarānga"; Sūtraksi
tāága, etc. JB. 37