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 84

Elements of Matter
49
Matter, e. g. dyad (dvyaņuka); and that which is indivisible ultimate atom is the finest form of Matter (Sūkşmasūkşma). It is impenetrable, indivisible and incombustible'i
The Physical world is thickly filled everywhere with the material bodies-gross or fine, capable of being received or not (by Soul). The material universe comprises an almost infinite varieties of material substances, it is the receptacle of living and non-living substances and is occupied by infinite atoms. The most important point is this that each of the effects of Matter, when analysed, is ultimately found to have been constituted of one or more of elementary practicles. Elements of Matter in Other Indian Systems of Thought :
Earth, water, fire, air and ākāśa (ether) as mentioned in the first chapter, have been accepted by all other Indian systems of thought as the basic elements of Matter which constitute the material universe. On the basis of this postulation the thinkers of different Indian schools of thought began to speculate about them with the development of Indian philosophy. The Sāṁkhya-Yoga View on Elements of Matter :
According to the Sākhya-Yoga philosophy, the visible universe is unbound and of multifarious forms (viśvarūpa). It is divided into the grossest, grosser and gross, and fine, finer and finest constituents. Earth, water, fire, air and ether (ākāśa), their respective atoms (i. e. five kinds of atoms—earth-atom, 1. Bhs., 20. 5. 670. 2. Sāmaññaphalasutta, Diganikāya, Ajitakeśakambali's view;
Sūtrakstāmga, 1. 1. 17-18; Svetāśvatara Upanişad, 1.2; Bșhadāranyaka Upanişad, 2. 4. 12; Višeşāvaśyakabhāsya, gāthā, 15531; Nyāyamañjari, Vijayanagaram Series, p. 472; Tattvopaplavasimha, p. 1; Tattvasamgrahapañjikā, p. 205; besides see Sūtrakṛtāmga Niryukti, gāthā, 30 and Ganadharavāda, Gujarat Vidyāsabhā Prakāsana; the doubt of the third Ganadhara Vāyubhūti, p. 501; Majjhimanikāya II, Cūlamālumkiya Sutta for avyākstapraśna, etc.