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 93

The Concept of Matter in Jaina Philosophy
rūpa-dharmas are in fact the ten of the eleven dharmas as embodied in both the Vaibhaṣika-Yogacara list of rūpadharmas, i. e. five sense-organs-eye, ear, nose, tongue and body, and five sense-objects-colour, sound, smell, taste and touch or contact;1 and avijñapti (unmanifested form of Matter). Avijñapti of the Vaibhāṣikas has been incorporated by the Yogacarins in their eleventh category of rūpa called dharmadhātu paryāpanna (matter included in dharmadhātu). Avijñapti has not been accepted by the Sthaviraj; instead, sükṣmarüpa (subtle form of Matter) has been admitted by them.4 In this sūkṣmarūpa many dharmas (elements) are included, such as; jarā (old age or decay), anityatā (impermanence), etc., which have been incorporated by Ghoṣaka, Vasubandhu and Asanga into Cittaviprayukta saṁskāras (i. e. composite energies apart from matter and mind).5
3
58
Bhadanta Ghosaka defines Avijñapti in this way: "Avijñapti arises either in a kusala citta (good mind) or in a akusala citta (bad mind), but not in a avyakṛta citta (neutral mind), because avyakṛta citta is very feeble in nature." This simple definition of Avijñapti given by Ghosaka is similar to that given by Vasubandhu in the Abhidharmakosa
Vikṣiptacittakasyāpi yo anubandhaḥ śubhāśubhaḥ Mahābhūtānyupādāya sa hyavijñaptirucyate."
"Perhaps Vasubandhu was conscious of this; that is why he also like Ghosaka has given a simple definition in his commen
1. Abhidharmamṛtaśāstra of Ghosaka, p. 13.
2. Abhidharmāmṛtaśāstra, p. 13.
3. A Manual of Buddhist Philosophy, pp. 130 ff.;
see also Abhidharmāmṛtaśātra of Ghoṣaka, p. 11. 4. Sukhumarüpaṁ-Abhidharmmattho Samgraha, VI. 8.
5. Abhidharmāmṛtaśāstra of Ghoṣaka, p. 11. 6. Kuśalākuśalacittajam bhavatyavijñaptirūpaṁ na tvavyakṛtacittaṁ, tat kasya hetoḥ avyākṛtacittasyātidurbalatvāt (418), Vide Abhidharmāmṛtaśāstra, p. 11.
7. Abh. K., 1. 11.