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
substance nor a composite one, for the incomposite substance, e. g. atom, or space, or time, or soul, is intangible to the external sense. 1 It is eternal because of being uncaused, but sound is non-eternal, for it is generated under specific conditions. 2 It is stated to be the product having Ākāśa (ether or space) as its constitutive substratum. But the idea that substance produced by and inhering in a single substance is inconceivable, since one of the conditions of production, viz. the conjunction of constitutive factors, which is the asamavāyikāraṇa, is lacking."3 Hence sound is not a substance. According to the Nyāya-Vaišesika, it is the specific quality of Ākāśa (space or ether).
According to the physical sciences, sound as the manifestation of Matter is conceived as energy of it. This view is identical with the Jaina conception of sound as the manifestation of Pudgala (Matter). It usually originates in vibrating bodies and that the vibrations are transmitted through the surrounding elastic medium, usually air, as wave motion of the longitudinal type. When the compressional sound waves are passing through air, the amplitude of the vibratory motion of the layers of particles is surprisingly small, being only about 10-8 cm for a sound that is barely audible.''4 This view of the origination of sound as explained in the physical sciences is
yadi tu niravayavadravyaṁ syāt bābyendriyagrāhyam na
syāt niravayayadravyasya, NLV., pp. 274-5; SM., pp. 190-1. 1. NLV and NLVK., p. 275. 2. Anityaścāyam kāraṇataḥ, VS., II. ii. 28;
Kāranata utpatterdșstatvāditi sesaḥ upalabhyate hi bheridandasamyogādibhyaḥ prādurbhavan sabdaḥ, tathā cotpattimattvādanityo ayamiti yadvā kāranata iti kāraṇavattva
hetumupalaksayati, VSU., Ibid. 3. Ekadravyatvānna dravyam, VS., II. ii. 23; see Studies in
Nyāya-Vaiseșika Metaphysics, p. 169. 4. Physics-Principles and Application, 38, 1, p. 560.