Structure and Functions of Soul in Jainism

SR No.: 001617
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: S C Jain
Publisher: Bharatiya Gyanpith
Publication Year: 1978
Total Pages: 272
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Epistemology, Nyay, & Spiritual
File Size: 16 MB

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64 :: Structure and Functions of Soul in Jainism
collocation or an organism must gain in quality, though the gain may be held to be due to a particular setting of matter. To avoid the antagonism of spirit and matter it is also held that consciousness is always found with matter but in a rudimentary form. In an organism the manifestation of consciousness becomes explicit, and there is no emergence of a novel quality in matter. All forms of materialism agree in holding the ultimate reality of matter which can give rise to consciousness in one or the other stage of its existence.
Jaina Criticism of Materialism
The entire Jaina criticism of the theory of the soul as given by materialism is based on the contention that matter and consciousness are so different that one cannot be derived from the other. In the commentary of the Sūtrakrtānga Silānka points out that "Consciousness cannot be found in a collocation of matter, because, though the senses are constituted of matter and apprehend thing severally, they cannot give rise to unity of consciousness."1 The organism is a plurality of material atoms; and, if matter can give rise to consciousness, it must be a plurality of consciousnessa conclusion which is contradicted by our experience. “If consciousness is regarded as a secretion of matter, it must be a composite substance, every atom emanating a distinct consciousness."? Again it is explicitly said by Haribhadra that “the nature of material entities being different, consciousness cannot be found in their collocation."3 The Jaina just opposes the basic thesis of the materialist that there is no opposition between matter and consciousness. According to him consciousness cannot be an attribute, an emergent quality or a manifestation of matter. He holds that an attribute is that which is always found with its substratum, though it may undergo variations of degrees.
1. Sūtrakstānga (Agamodaya Samiti, Mahesana), p. 16 2. C.R. Jain: Key of Knowledge, p. 45 3. Haribhadra: Sāstravārtā-samuccaya, p. 22