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
colour, it may be black, or blue, or red, or yellow, or white, if it is possessed of one smell, it may have pleasant smell or unpleasant smell, if it is endowed with one taste, it may have bitter taste, or sour taste, or astringent taste, or acideic taste, or sweet taste; if it is possessed of two touches, it may be cold and cohesive, or cold and dry, or warm and cohesive, or warm and dry. 1
The existence of paramāņu can be inferred on observation of their collective effect. Even its properties are inferred on observation of the basic properties of Pudgala (Matter). Henceit is inferable by its effect for the persons having common. knowledge. In the same line of thought of Jaina Metaphysics. the Nyāya-Vaiseșika3 and the physical sciences also account for the existence of atoms in this manner. “Individual atomic events are not observed directly, though their consequence may be and hence greater reliance must be placed on logical inference and methodology than in most other branches of sciences."4 “Many of the experimental verification of atomic properties depend on observations of the properties of matter on a large scale. Thus the study of the thermodynamics and the statistical behaviour of large number of atoms, which provides a connection between atomic attributes and the gross properties of matter, is very important."5
Jaina Philosophy maintains thai the capacities-colour, taste, smell and touch, exist as equal in each and every paramāņu and can change into any form according to cause. Even though they are equal in all paramäņus, the variousness of their transformation occurs because of the difference of materials. Similarly, according to the Jaina view, skandha (molecule) 1. Bhagavati Vyākhyāprajñapti, 20. 5. 668. 2. Ibid., 18. 8. 640. 3. Nyāyavārtika, p. 233 ane its Tātparyatikā, p. 272, Line 1,
from the bottom etc. 4. Atomic Physics, Harawell and Stephens, p. 4. 5. Ibid.