Scientific Contents in Prakrta Canons

SR No.: 001670
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: N L Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith
Publication Year: 1996
Total Pages: 608
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Science, & Religion
File Size: 9 MB

Page 155

Canonical Techniques of Objective Study : 133
ment exist in canons. The classification of living ones also seems to have the same track which starts with six living species.
(f) It is observed that most texts under reference contain more than one list of D. D.'s in different sections. This is also the case for many more descriptions. This has led to some logical suggestion by recent authors :
(i) Most canons are authored by many ācāryas of different periods.
(ii) The different listings suggest periodical interpolations and corruptions in original texts.
(iii) The canons are supposed to be consistent. The different listings and descriptions on any single topic in different parts of the same book or different books contain their consistency. This fact, therefore, should be interpreted in a better logical way with historical perspective.
These suggestions should be checked and verified with proper seriousness to alleviate faith erosion in canons. Overall Doors of Disquisition
Despite later predominance of 8 D. D. system, one should look into the canonical disquisitions whether they represent the specific points of 8 D. D. system. As said before, the 80 odd D.D.'s of Table 2 can be consolidated into the 8door system also as shown in Table 4. It is observed that most of the disquisition doors come under the physical and psychical category of modal disquisition. Secondly, while most of disquisitions are related with the living entities, there are some which refer to all type of entities. Thus, Akalanka has illustrated the non-living on the basis of these doorso. It is these doors which are most interesting to us in modern times.
Jaina's equation of these doors has already been pointed out. Umāsvāti has illustrated that quantitative studies could also be made about the objects alongwith qualitative ones. However, it could now be borne in mind from Tabl3 3