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
modes or relations of the material substance as dealt within the physical sciences.
In the seventh chapter Matter has been classified into one, two, three, four, six, twenty-three, five hundred thirty and infinite groups respectively from the points of view of (1) dravya (substance), kşetra (locus), kāla (time) and bhāva (condition), (2) atomic and molecular forms of its existence, (3) apprehensibility and inapprehensibility, receivability, and non-receivability, etc., (4) transfor nation, (5) parts of molecules, (6) grossness and fineness, (7) vargaņā (grouping), (8) prominence of particular quality and (9) gati (class), part of quality and mode.
The eighth chapter deals with the atomic structure of Matter and properties of atom, causative and ultimate discrete atom, the nature of atom in the light of the nature of Matter in comparison with the nature of atom of the Sārkhya-Yoga, Nyāya-Vaiśeşika, Buddhist systems of thought, group of atoms according to their qualities, contact of atoms, vibration and motion of atom, speed of motion of atom, motion of atom by touching other forms of matter, resistance of Matter, nonresistance of atom and Nyāya-Vaiseșika view of motion of atom, etc. in continuation of the fourth chapter on Atomism. Atom is studied from the points of view of dravya (substance), kşetra (locus or field), kāla (time) and bhāva (condition) with a comparative analysis of its concept of structure and properties as revealed in other Indian systems of thought and the physical sciences to some extent. An atom is partless, finest, discrete, beginningless particle of Matter corresponding to one space-point and one unit of time. It is endowed with the inherent qualities--colour, taste, smell and touch. It is infinite in number from the point of view of dravya (substance), a finest particle of Matter from that of ksetra (locus), a momentary unit of time from that of kāla (time) and its qualities are ever changing in nature from that of bhāva (condition). Atom is the cause of the formation of molecule; it also comes into being out of the division of a molecule at last. Hence it is