Reals on the Jaina Metaphysics

SR No.: 001619
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Harisatya Bhattacharya
Publisher: Shatnidas Khetsy Charitable Trust Mumbai
Publication Year: 1966
Total Pages: 430
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Philosophy, Religion, & Epistemology
File Size: 8 MB

Page 100

Space
85
which accounted for the interpenetration of bodies by light and warmth. If we leave out of account the last two theories (viz. of the Epicurean and of Strato), as of minor importance, we have two prominent theories of Space viz. the one of Aristotle, denying the existence of Void Space outside the world limit and the other, of the Stoics, which denied its existence within the world but admitted its infinite expansion beyond. The Jaina theory is apparently similar to that of the Stoics and is opposed to the Aristotelian doctrine of finite space.
It has been said that according to the Jaina's, the Aloka or Void Space is absolutely devoid of any Real. If this be so, some argue, how can it be said that Space is what gives accommodation? For, Aloka admittedly does not accommodate any substance. The argument is unsound in as much as it loses sight of the fact that although Aloka does not contain any substances, its capacity to accommodate them is never denied.'
SPACE, A PASSIVE SUBSTANCE: BALĀDHĀNA: AN ACCOMPANYING CAUSE
It is to be noted that although Space is admitted as a Real in the Jaina metaphysics, it is but an inactive substance. Its capacity to accommodate substances in it does not mean any active energising on its part. Substances have extensions i.e. occupy positions because of themselves; Akāśa does not actively come forward to give them space. Still, it is a Real, the existence of which we are bound to admit. This passive function on the part of Space is
1 For, it is a part of Space after all and the author of the Rāja-vartika, puts the matter extremely well, by referring to the example of the swan. There may not be, says he, a swan entering into the water of a certain pond; but this fact does not prove that the water of the pond is devoid of the capacity of accommodating.
यथा हंसस्यावगाहकस्याभावेप्यवगाहयत्वं जलस्य न हीयते तथा अवगाहित्वाभावेपि नालोकाकाशस्यावकाशदानसामथर्यहानिः ।