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 152

Matter
137
It is needless to add that this Jaina theory goes directly against the Greek theory of impenetrable atoms and is the nearest approach to the modern position that an atom is a geometrical point of force to which extension and impenetrability are inapplicable.
COMBINATION OF ATOMS
The next question that arises in connection with the doctrine of atoms, is: How do the atoms combine with one another in order to form gross materials? We have seen that the theory of the Greek materialists was that the atoms were in perpetual motion and that “by their coming together they effect coming into being and by their separation, passing away”. Although the present day mechanical theory also in its extreme form contends that the world is the outcome of the combinations of material atoms, it tries its best to eliminate from it the element of blind chance as much as possible. Even in ancient times necessity was felt for not leaving every thing to atoms and their motion. Anaxagoras, for instance, introduced Nous, a sort of intelli
kable in the Jaina philosophy. It is said that Pudgala can have numerable and innumerable Pradeśa's or minute parts as well as an infinite number of them. Now, it is an admitted fact in the Jaina metaphysics that Lokākāśa or occupied space is limited and that Pudgala is found within it only. How can infinite parts of matter be contained within finite Space? STE TOUTATTGRTT 19: अनन्तप्रदेशस्य स्कन्धाधिकरण मिति विरोधः।'
To this objection, the author of the Rājavārtika replies:- 7 fa कारणम् ? सूक्ष्म परिमाणाभावगाहनसामर्थ्यात्। परमाण्यादयो हि सूक्ष्मभावेन परिणता एककस्मिन्नाकाशप्रदेशेऽनन्तानन्ता अवतिष्ठन्ते अवगाहनसामर्थ्य मण्येषामव्याहतमस्ति येनं एककस्मिन्नपि प्रदेशेऽनन्तानन्तानामवस्यानं न विरुध्यते ।
The objection is not valid. Why? Because stuffs in the subtle state cide with one another. An infinite number of subtle atoms stay in one and the same point of space. These have such an irresistible capability of coincidence that it is never impossible for an infinite number of them to stay in one and the the same point of space.