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 163

128 The Conception of Matter in Jaina Philosophy
single unit and beginningless. A paramāņu is in samyoga (combination) and it is always undergoing change from the points. of view of substance, locus, time and condition,1 Paramāņus. are infinte in number with regard to substance, a paramāņu is a finest particle of matter from the point of view of locus, it is. momentary from that of time and its capacity of quality is changing from the standpoint of condition.2
indivisi
The Nyaya-Vaišeṣika philosophy conceives the bility of paramaņu3, while the Buddhists-the Vaibhāṣikas and the Sautrāntikas maintain the divisibility of paramāņu (i. e. Samghāta paramāņu). which consists of, at least, eight parts. of elements (astadravyaka)5 of Rūpa (Matter). Jaina philosophy holds the view that sūkṣma paramāņu (finest ultimate atom). is indivisible, but vyavahāra paramāņu (usual atom) and four qualities of paramāņu, viz. colour, taste, smell and touch, have infinite divisions. This atomic concept of the Jainas suggests the divisibility of paramanu without limit like the divisibility of atom the physical sciences. Really speaking, gunas (qualities). of the Nyaya-Vaiseṣika, viz. rūpa (colour), rasa (taste), gandha (smell) and sparśa (touch) are paramāņus of the Buddhists, 8
1. Bhagavat Vyakhāprajñapti, 20. 5. 670; 25. 4. 740;
12. 10. 469.
2. Ibid., 25. 4. .740; 20. 5. 670;
Acaranga Curni, p. 165; Uttaradhyayana Sutra with Tikā of Kamalasamyama, p. 90.
3. Vaiseṣikadarśana, Kaṇāda, adhyaya IV, āhnika 1, sūtra 1; adhyaya II, ähnika I, sūtra, 12.
4. Abhidharmakośa, Vasubandhu, Kośa I, V. 12, Tibetan text, p. 83.
5. Abhidharmakosa, II. 22, p. 29.
6. Anuyogadvāra Sūtra, 133, p. 160; Jambudvipaprajñapti (pürvabhāga II, sutra 19, p. 92). Lokaprakāśa,
Vinayavijayaji, part I, sarga I, ślokas 21, 28, p. 5.
7. Bhagavati Vyakhyäprajñapti, 25. 4. 740.
8. Abhidharmakośa, K. 1, 10 A, 250 C. D. 65 A. D.
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