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
differences of different kinds of ultimate atoms from one another and from all other things are remarkable and their differences from one another are of an ultimate nature. An ultimate atoms is differentiated from all other ultimate atoms by its ultimate differentiating characteristic called particularity (vjśesa). All ultimate atoms are regarded as discrete individuals, because each of them possesses its own particularity.1 In Jaina Metaphysics also this attribute of an ultimate atom has been discussed in the same manner by the st "paramāņupoggale...siya āyā siya no āyā jāva no āyāi ya,... appano atthe āyā, parassa āiţthe no āyā, tadubhayassa äitthe avattavam āyā i ya no āyā i ya."}
This is to say, a paramāņu has got self-existence or individuality from the point of view of existence and property of matter. It possesses its own independent nature different from that of another ultimate atom.
The Neo-Naiyāyikas headed by Raghunātha Siromani also hold the view that ultimate atoms and all eternal substances are distinguished from one another by themselves, for each of them is a unique particular by its very nature.3
In regard to the dimension of paramānu it is explained by the Nyāya-Vaiśesika Philosophy that a paramānu is endowed with the smallest and shortest dimension called pārimāndalya (spherical) 4 Jaina Metaphysics does not spcak about the spherical dimension of paramānu, but it is clear from its statement that a paramānu occupies one space-point having a spherical point as its dimension, just as it is mentioned in the Nyāya-Vaišeşika. 1. PP. Bhā., pp. 321-22. 2. Bhs., 12. 10. 469 3. Studies in Nyāya-Vaiśesika Metaphysics, p. 146;
see PTN., pp. 30–31. 4. Kaņādarahasya, pp. 72-73; Nitye, nityam VS., VII. 1. 19;
Nityam parlmāndalyam, Ibid., 20; Pārimāņdalyamiti sarvāpaktstaṁ parimāņam, NK., p. 318.