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
capacity (capacity of change). Matter is not by any means nonmotive, static and inactive. It is not true that Matter is active in all fields (kşetras), at all times (kālas) and in all conditions (bhāvas). Sometimes it is active and sometimes it is inactive. 1 Having remained immersed in one space-point, it vibrates or oscillates or makes revolving motion. Activities made by vibration are not continuous; it is accidental.
There can be infinite divisions of activity with regard to infinite modes. Generally, there are stated to be many divisions of activity (kriyā), but from the particular point of view there can be the following divisions of it with regard to nimitta (cause), applied (prāyogika) and natural (vaisrasika) processes and its own form (nature), i. e. motion in one place and motion to another place, and integration and disintegration (bandhabheda). In the Jaina Agama Bhagavat. Vyākhyāprajñapti the word 'eai' (to vibrate or to oscillate) has been used to stand for motion in one place ( space-point). There are stated to be two kinds of kriyā (activity or movement), viz. samita (limited) and vividha (various). 4 A few kinds of motion for reaching another place are described below:
(1) Anuśreni and visreņi (motion in a line and motion out of lines), avigraha (non-curvilinear-motion or motion in noncurved line) and vigraha (curvilinear motion or motion in curved line) and sjudgati (motion in straight line) and kuțila gati (complex or crooked motion).
(2) Pratighātin gati (impeded or resisting motion) and apratighātin gati (unimpeded motion). 1. Paramānupoggale siya eyati, veyati, jāva pariņamati, siya
no eyati jāva no pariņamati, BhS., 5.7.213. 2. Egapaesogādhe poggale see tammi vã thāņe, annammi vā
thāṇe jahanneņaṁ egam samayam, ukkosenan āvaliyae
asaṁhkejjaibhāgam ciram, Bhs., 5. 7. 215. 3. Pudgalānāmapi dvividhā kriyā visrasā-prayoganimittă ca,
TRV., 5.7.17. 4. BhS., 3.3.153 (comm).