Concept of Matter in Jaina Philosophy

SR No.: 001663
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: J C Sikdar
Publisher: P V Research Institute Varanasi
Publication Year: 1987
Total Pages: 412
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Philosophy, & Physics
File Size: 23 MB

Page 125

The Concept of Matter in Jaina Philosophy
resisting (aghata) or unimpeded; the Samkhya also maintains that the lingaśarfra is endowed with unimpeded motion; it is not to face any resistance.1 In the Jaina view there is no capacity of enjoyment in kārmaṇaśarīra but the gross body enjoys by the senses. Similarly, in the Samkhya view also the lingasarfra is devoid of the capacity of enjoyment.2
3
Although according to the Samkhya view, the dispositions like rāga, etc., are the modifications of Prakṛti (Primordial Matter), lingasarfra also is the modification of Prakṛti, and the other material objects are as such, even then the Samkhya does not deny the categorical divisions existing in all these modifications. It accepts three kinds of sarga (creation), viz. pratyayasarga (evolution or creation of intellect), tanmatric sarga (infra-atomic creation) and bhautika-sarga (material evolution or creation). The dispositions, such as, rāga, dveṣa, etc., are included in the pratyayasarga1 and the subtle body is in the tanmatric sarga (infra-atomic creation or evolution of rudimentary elements).5 Similarly, in the Jaina view the dispositions like raga, etc., are produced from matter; and so also is the case with the karmic body. But the basic difference between these two views is that the material cause of dispositions is Soul and the efficient cause of them is Matter, while the material cause of the karmic body is Matter and the efficient cause is Soul.
1. Pūrvotpannamasaktaṁ nityam mahadadisūkṣmaparyantaṁ
90
Samsarati
nirupabhogam bhāvairadhivāsitam
-Saṁkhyakārikā, 40.
2. Ibid.
3. Tattvakaumudi, 52, 53.
4. Esa pratyayasargo viparyayaśaktitustisiddhyākhyaḥ Gunavaiṣamyavimardättasya bhedāstu pañcāśat, SK. 46. 5. Na vina bhāvairlingam, na vina lingena bhavanirvṛttiḥ Lingakhyo bhāvākhyastasmād-dvividhaḥ pravartate sargaḥ, SK., 52;
Na vina iti lingam iti tanmatrasargamupalakṣayati bhavaiḥ iti ca pratyayasargaṁ, Ibid. (comm,)
lingam