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

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The Concept of Matter in Jaina Philosophy
manence-in-change in Dravya is conceived by Jaina metaphysics as logical. Sat is the differentia of Dravya, characterized by origination, decay and permanence. It is an objective reality and the highest universal because of being a unifying principle of all existents under the concept of being-existent' on a common objective foundation of existence itself. Therefore, the nature of Dravya-Reality is that it is characterized by origination, decay and permanence.
The Concept of Dravya has been studied from the noumenal and phenomenal points of view in the light of the doctrine of manifoldness. Dravya has been conceived by the Jainas as a universal principle of Reality from the aspect of generality, while its particular characteristics are Jřvadravya (living substance) and Ajsvadravya (non-living substance) from the particular aspect. Except the extreme views of monistic materialism of the Carvākas and monistic spiritualism of the Vedānta, other Indian systems of thought have accepted two aspects of Reality, viz. Cetanatattva (sentient principle) and Acetanatattva (non-sentient principle). It is to be noted that Jivadravya and Ajsvadravya of Jaina philosophy do not form any two substance-doctrine, representing the world of animated substances and non-animated substances as independent and self-contained systems. According to a similar concept of a unique substance, “thinking substance and extended substance are one and the same substance, comprehended now under this attribute, now under that."
In accordance with the Jaina conception of Reality having JI vatattva (sentient principle) and Ajivatattva (non-sentient principle) as its two aspects, six substances have been accepted as six categories of Reality, viz. Jiva (Soul), Dharma (Principle of motion), Adharma (Principle of rest), Ākāśa (Space), Pudgala (Matter) and Kāla (Time), from the point of view of their respective natures. Nava dravyas (nine substances) of the Vaiśesika philosophy, viz. earth, water, fire, air, space, time, direction, soul and mind, can be reduced to Sat-dravyas (six substances) of Jaina metaphysics. They are the constituents