First Steps to Jainism Part 1

SR No.: 001640
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Sancheti Asso Lal, Manakmal Bhandari
Publisher: Sancheti Trust Jodhpur
Publication Year: 2002
Total Pages: 300
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Religion, & Education
File Size: 10 MB

Page 28

14 First Steps to Jainism
that it is not resricted to the universe like other substances but extends beyond the universe to the non-universe. Actually in non-universe there is nothing but space.
(v) & (vi). Mediums of motion and rest-Lastly we come to the outstanding
features of Jainism which are the two substances called the medium of motion (dharamastikaya) and medium of rest (adharamastikaya). There is no other philosophy which has anything corresponding to these substances. The function of the substance called medium of motion is to help the soul and the matter to move about just as water helps the fish to move about. The substance of medium of rest enables them to remain stationary at one place, just as the shade enables the travellor to take rest.
These substances are also non-material and they are extending throughout the universe as one mass. Actually it is the extent of these elements that determines the limit of the universe. Since the absence of these substances does not permit the other substances to move, the universe ends where these substances end.
12. Before concluding we may summarise the characteristics of the different substances of the universe by stating that,
(i) Out of the six substance only one is living substance i.e. the
animate soul and the other five are non-living. (ii) Only one i.e. matter has form and is material and the other
five are non-material and have no form. Three elements viz., medium of motion, medium of rest and space are single entities while time, matter and soul are numerous.
(iii) To
13. All these substances are eternal, noninterchangeable and they can neither be added to nor reduced. While they are independent of each other they are assisting and accommodating each other in action and re-action. Thus while there is struggle going on between the soul and the matter, time causes the modifications, the space provides the arena, medium of motion helps them to move about and the medium of rest assists them to take rest. This is the