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 311

The Concept of Matter in Jaina Philosophy
(time), it touches infinite times1 (addhasamayas). These characteristics of paramāņu show its extensiveness with the Universe and its all-pervasiveness.
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VIBRATION AND MOTION OF ATOM
Pudgalagati (Motion of Matter) is defined as that which causes the motion of paramāṇupudgalas up to that of anantapradeśikaskandhas (molecules having infinite units of matter)2. Paramāņu is active and dynamic, but it is not always active or moving; sometimes it is active, sometimes it is non-active 9 Its activity is accidental. There are stated to be many kinds of movement of paramāņu. It sometimes vibrates (revolves), sometimes makes various vibrations up to undergoes transformation.5 It is evidently clear by the Jaina Agamic statement 'siya eyati siya veyati jāva pariņamati' that besides vibration and various vibrations, a paramāņu makes also other movements.
1. Kevaiehim addhasamaehim putthe siya putthe siya no putthe, jai putthe niyamam anamtehim. Ibid.
2. Se kim tam poggalagati ? jam nam paramāṇupoggalāṇam jāva anamtapaesiyāṇam khamdhāṇam gai pavattai, se tam poggalagai, Panṇavanā, 16. 474.
3. Paramāņupoggale nam Bhamte! eyai veyai jāva tam tam bhavam pariņamai? Goyama! siya eyai veyai jāva pariņamai siya no eyai jāva no pariņamai, BhS., 5. 7. 213; Navaram sastham, tatra sastho deśayoh ejanam, pradeśayoreva va anejanamiti, BhS., 5. 7. 213 (comm);
Paramāņu...ityādi siya eyati tti kadäcit ejate, kadācitkatvāt sarvapudgaleṣu ejanādidharmāṇām, dvipradeśika trayo vikalpaḥ (1) syad ejanam, (2) syad anejanam, etc. (comm). 4. Ibid. It shows that the motion of an ultimate atom is relative, it is sometimes stable and sometimes unstable like the nuclei of the physical sciences.
5. BhS., 5. 7. 213.