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 44

Jaina Conception of Matter
permanent and eternal.1 The series of traikālika modes taking place due to one causative capacity inherent in a substance are of the same class. The series of infinite modes caused by infinite capacities in a substance are moving (i, e, continuing) together. The modes of different class caused by various -capacities can be found in one substance at a time, but the modes of the same class caused by one capacity at different times cannot be found in one substance at a time.2 These take place in the material substance into various infinite modes like the modes of colour, such as, blue, yellow, etc.
Matter undergoes transformation by its capacity of colour into various forms of colour, such as, black, etc. The capacity of colour cannot be separated from the material substance and other capacities also which are inherent in it. In matter the series of various modes of colours, such as, blue, etc. are the effects of one causative capacity of colour. There are always taking place in Matter the series of colour, smell, taste, touch, etc. For this reason infinite capacities are cognized by admitting each individual causative capacity of individual series like that of the capacity of colour, that of smell, that of taste, that of touch, etc.
Various modes of capacities, such as, colour, smell, etc. occur in Matter at a time, but different modes, such as, blue, yellow, etc. of one capacity of colour do not take place simultaneously. As material substances are permanent, so their inherent qualities also are permanent, but the modes of the capacity of colour, etc. are not permanent. They, being always subject to origination and destruction, are individually nonpermanent and the series of modes of colour in Matter are permanent because of being traikālika.
The undivided whole of infinite qualities only is Dravya (substance). That is to say, the collective whole or aggregate of each individual causative capacity (Kāraṇabhūtaśakti) 1. Tattvārtha Sutra, V. 37, pp. 229-30. 2. Ibid., p. 206. 3. Bhs., 2. 1. 90.