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 164

Atomism
129
i. e, atoms of quality. Dravyaparamāņu (material atom) of the Nyāya Vaišesika corresponds to Samghātaparamānu (combined atom)1 of the Buddhists, which is divisible by intellect. It can be compared with pañcikarana of the three gunas (qualities) of praksti of the Sāṁkhya philosophy.a Samghātaparamānu3 of the Buddhists is avinirbhāgin or abbāga (indistinguishable) from the point of view of vyavahāra (modal standpoint), while paramāņu of the Jainas is anantabhäga (infiniteth part) of paramānu of the Nyāya-Vaiśeşika. 4 The doctrine of permanence had to be refuted by the Buddhists, so their concept of paramāņu is that it is divisible by intellect.
The Jaina atomic theory comes nearer to the Buddhist concept of atom from the modal point of view, for, according to Jaina Metaphysics, paramāņu is non-eternal from the modal point of view.5 It is of one class 6 like the energy of matter of the physical sciences. By convention it may be compared with anu (atom) of the Buddhists which is conventionally called atom, as there are stated to be earth-atom, water-atom, air-atom, etc. But they are the forces in the Buddhist convention. Rūpa (colour), rasa (taste), gandha (smell) and sparsa (touch) of Pudgala (Matter) of the Jainas compare well with
1. Abhidharmakośa, K. II. 22, p. 29; K. 1. 126; K. 1. 10 A; * Paramānu(nu)sarighāta (7) ityartha ta evāstau , cakşurvijñānadhātvādayo (hitvā sešā daśa) samcitā
Abhidharmadipa, p. 25. 2. Samkhyatattvakaumudi, Kārikā 16, p. 62; -
Sāṁkhya Kārikā, Kā. 27, p. 17; Sāṁkhyapravacanabhāsya, ch III, sūtras 11,12; ch III, sūtra 19, vide The Positive
Science of the Ancient Hindus, p. 53. 3. Abhidharmakośa, Vasubandhu, Kośa II, śloka 22, p. 29. 4. Nyāyavārtika, Udyotaka, p. 617. 5. Bhagavatı Vyākhyāprajñapti, 14.4, 511. 6. Tattvārthādhigama Sūtra, Umāsvāti, Prathama vibhāga,
p. 324.