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 220

Effects of Matter
Kaya (Embodiment): It is caused by the operation of Karmas which make the bodies of the mobile and immobile beings. They are inseparably connected with the genus (jāti)-(body-making karma).2 As mentioned above, it is of six kinds, viz. earth-embodiment upto the embodiment of mobile beings. In the physical sciences also they are regarded as the effects of Matter. Bodies (or embodiments) of earth, water, fire, and air-bodied souls exist (i. e. are formed) by the operation of the earth, water, fire, and air-body-making karmas as a rule with their respective suitable qualities like colour, taste, smell, touch, etc. and materials. 4
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Having taken into consideration the four kinds of each of the above four embodiments (effects) of Matter, the following divisions are mentioned, viz. (1) earth in general (sāmānyaprthivf), (2) earth-soul (prthivi-jiva), the soul which is in transmigratory passage, vigrahagati, immediately before being born as earth-bodied, (3) earth-bodied soul, the soul which has taken up an earth-body (pṛthivi-kayika), and (4) eaithbody (pṛthivi-kaya). Water, fire and air also are of four kinds, just as earth is described. That is to say, the effects-earth water, fire and air, etc., having the qualities of colour, taste, smell and touch, undergo transformation into bodies (käya) by the operation of the nama-karmas, such as, pṛthivi-namakarma, etc.
Here karma is energy, which is the attenuated form of matter. According to the physical sciences, "energy, like 1. Vaibhāṣikadarśana, pp. 67-8;
Atapaḥ uṣṇaprakāśaḥ suryasya, alokaḥ śrtaprakāśa indoḥ Abh., K. 1. 10, Rāhulavyākhya.
2. Jai aviṇābhāvītasathāvara-udayajo have kayo.
3. So jinamadamhi bhaṇio pudhavikāyādi chabbheyo, GS., Jivakāṇḍa, 181.
4. Pudhavi auteūvāyukammodayeņa tattheva Niyavannacaukka judo tāṇaṁ deho have niyama, GS., Jīva., 182.