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 43

The Concept of Matter in Jaina Philosophy
the relation between Dravya and guna, for Dravya is defined as "Gunaparyayavad-dravyam1" in the latter. In the Samkhya philosophy guna is a component of Prakṛti. Dravyasrita guna is dharma (character); there is mention of fifty bhavas (dispositions) in the Samkhya Philosophy, Similarly the relation of the Buddhist citta (mind) and its dharma-caitasika (mental) is that citta is one, while caitasikas are many3. It appears from this evidence that the Samkhya influence is evidently felt on Buddhism in this respect. Dharmin (substratum) is manifested by traikālika paryayas (modes of three points of time-past, present and future), otherwise it becomes inapprehensible to the senses, i. e. the form in which it is apprehensible to the senses at the present time. The gist of the Jaina conception of Reality is that Dravya is endowed with guna and paryaya. The inherent qualities in a substance and their traikālika modes are infinite4 in number. A substance and its inherent qualities are permanent owing to the cause of its non-origination and non-destruction,5 while modes because of their origination and destruction at every moment are invariably non-permanent. But they are also beginningless series of and permanent, from the point of view of the infinite modes (anamtā pajjava), e. g. the material substance is permanent and its inherent qualities, such as, colour, etc. are also permanent. But the modes of colours, such as, blue, yellow, etc. born of the quality of colour are individually non-permanent because of being subject to origination and destruction and the series of modes of colour, being traikālika, are
8
1. TS., V. 37
2. Tattvasamāsasūtra, pp. 282-8.
3. The Central Conception of Buddhism, pp. 85 ff.
4. Bha., 2. 1. 91.
5. Uppattiva viņāso davvassa ya natthi atthi sabbhāvo Pañcastikayasara, 11.
6. Vyayam uppadam dhuvattam karaṁti tasseva pajjayā
Ibid.
7. Bhs., 2.1. 90; Tattvärtha Sutra, V. 37.