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
manovargaņās, which constitute manas (mind) as conceived in Jaina Metaphysics. The comparative study of these brief outlines of the Indian concepts of mind reveals that the Jaina concept of mind has made a synthetic approach to this problem from the physical and psychical points of view like modern psychology.
PRĀŅĀPĀNA (RESPIRATION) Prānāpāna (respiration) is material, Ācārya Pūjyapāda explains the point in this manner "The soul wishing for the destruction-cum-subsidence of energy-obstructing karmas and the rise of nāma-karmas of limbs and minor limbs, exhales air from the lungs, and it is called the breath of life (prāņa). The same soul inhales air from the atmosphere and it is called the breath of inhalation (apāna). Thus these also are helpful to the soul, as these enable the soul to live.". The exhaled air and inhaled air must be understood to be material. They meet with resistance, etc., by objects. Respiration is obstructed by covering the face with the palm or cloth. It is also obstructed by phlegm. But a non-material substance cannot be obstructed by material objects.
In the medical science also the Jaina view of the material nature of respiration is fully supported. The respiratory apparatus consists of the larynx, trachea, bronchi, lungs and pleurae.? When one breathes in air, it goes through the trachea and bronchi to the air-sacs of the lungs, which are surrounded by blood capillaries. “According to the property of diffusion the oxygen inside the alveoli and the carbon dioxide in the capillaries interchange themselves through the thin membranes. As the oxygen inside the alveoli is taken by the blood, the air inside the lungs must be renewed to bring in a fresh supply of oxygen and the waste products, such as, carbon dioxide must 1. SS., V. 19 (comm). 2. Human Anatomy, p. 1016.