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 48

Jaina Conception of Matter
13
principle of the Nyāya-Vaišesika philosophy.1 The Mimāṁsā? admits the existence of Cetanatattva (the self) and Acetanatattva (non-sentient principle) like the Nyāya-Vaišeșika system of thought.
According to the Buddhist philosophy, Nāma or Citta (mind) and Rūpa (matter) represent Cetanatattva and Acetanatattva3 respectively. Nāma or Citta includes the four mental elements, viz. Vedanā (feelings), saṁjñā (ideas), saraskāras (volition and other faculties) and vijñāna (pure sensation or general consciousness), while Rūpa represents the elements of Matter, the physical elements of a personality (Pudgala) including its outer world the external objects.
The Vedānta system of thought4 accepts the Absolute Brahman and Jagat (the Universe) as Cetanatattva and Acetanatattva respectively, although it regards Jagat to be the effect of the Brahman (Universal self), produced by its Māyāśakti (power of illusion) which is also called Prakstis, as Nāma (name) and Rūpa (form). 1. Pșthivyāpastejo vāyurākāśaṁ kālo digātmā mana iti
dravyāņi — VS., 1. 1. 5; Tatra dravyāṇi prthivyāpastejo
... navaiveti.-- Prasastapādabhāsya, p. 3. 2. Prakarana Pañcikā, p. 52, etc. and Prabhākara Mimāṁsā,
p. 35, etc., vide History of Indian Philosophy, Vol I,
p. 378. 3. The Central Conception of Buddhism, pp. 5-6; The Basic
Conception of Buddhism, pp. 87-88, F. Note No. 41, 42. 4. Atha Brahmajijñāseti -- Brahmasūtra, 1.1. 10;
Janmadyasya yataḥ - Ibid., 1, 1.2. 5. Chandāṁsi yajñaḥ kṣtave vratäni
bhūtam bhavyaṁ yacca vedā vadanti Asmānmāyr srjate viśvametattasmimścānyo māyayā samniruddhaḥ.
-Śvetāśvatara Upanisad, 4. 9; Māyām tu prakstiṁ vidyānmāyinaṁ tu maheśvaram Tasyāvayavabhūtaistu vyāptam sarvamidam jagat.
- Ibid., 4.10.)