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 45

The Concept of Matter in Jaina Philosophy
of each individual mode and of such infinite capacities or qualities is substance from the point of view of difference among them. But Dravya (substance) is called guṇaparyāyātmaka (endowed with quality and mode) from the point of view of non-difference among them because of modes being like their own causative qualities (Karaṇabhūtaguņas) and qualities being like Dravya (substance). That is to say, Dravya, guna and paryaya are different from one another from the subjective point of view in thought, but they are non-different from one another from the objective point of view.1
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In a substance all qualities are not identical; some common qualities are found in all substances, e. g. Astitva (existentiality), Pradeśatva (capacity of having some form), Jñeyatva (knowability), etc. and some are uncommon (i. e. specific) qualities which can be found in each individual substance, e. g. sentiency (Cetana), consciousness (Upayoga), etc. in. soul and colour (Rupa), etc. in Matter. Each substance is. distinct and separate from other substances because of its uncommon quality and modes.2
The Jaina conception of the series of material substances, their qualities and modes is supported by the physical sciences to some extent. It is explained by Prof. Bertrand Russel that "The substitution of space, time for space and time has made it much more natural than formerly to conceive a piece of matter as a group of events. Physics starts, now-a-days, from a four dimensional manifold of events, not, as formerly, from a temporal series of three dimensional manifolds connected with each other by the conception of matter in motion. Instead of a permanent piece of matter, we have now the conception of a 'world line', which is a series of events connected with each other in a certain way. The parts of one light-ray are
1. Tattvartha Sutra, V. 37.
2. Ibid., p. 208; See also Dravya-Guna-Paryayano Rasa and Agamasara for the inter-relation of Dravya (substance),. guna (quality) and paryāya (mode).